E-2 
p25bt 


iVo. 


[,  IBRARV 

PRIACETOaf,  IX,  J. 

Hn\A'l'10N    OK 

S  A  IVJ  L'  t:  1.    A  a  N  K  w , 

^_^  ut      I'  H  1  ).  i  I' K  1.  V  H  I   \.     PA. 


rz,z 


(1      nook,  i 


i 


THE 

Star  of  tJie  West; 

BEING 

MEMOIRS  OF  THE  LIFE 

*  OP 

RI8DON  DARRACOTT, 

MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL, 

AT  WELLIJYGTOJV,  SOMERSET, 

WITH 
EXTRACTS  FROM  HIS  CORRESPONDENCE. 


z^ — 

BY  JAMES  BENNETT. 


FIRST  AMERICAN  EDITION. 


BROOKFIELD,  MASS. 

E.     AND    G.    MERRIAM,    PRINTERS    AND     PUBLISHERS. 

1S29. 


PJREFACE. 


It  was  not  without  considerable  hesita- 
tion, that  the  Author  ventured  to  present 
these  Memoirs  to  the  public  eye.  He 
had,  indeed,  often  perused  the  documents 
with  the  most  desirable  emotions,  and 
wished  them  introduced  to  more  general 
notice ;  but  he  always  anticipated  the 
question,  why  obtrude  upon  the  public, 
the  Memoirs  of  a  man  who  has  slumbered 
among  the  dead  more  than  half  a  century? 

Those  who  have  recently  entered  into 
their  rest,  still  live  in  the  remembrance  of 
many  surviving  fellow-labourers ;  and  it  is 
in  the  breasts  of  those,  who  already  know 
something  of  a  man,  that  we  expect  to 
find  a  curiosity  to  know  more.  But,  the 
contemporaries  of  Risdon  Darracott,  who 
would  have  caught  eagerly  at  his  Memoirs, 
and  promoted  their  circulation  among 
friends,   have  long  since  gone  to  join  him, 


IV 

where  the  pages  of  biography  are  neither 
read  nor  needed.  And  now  that  another 
generation  has  risen  up  who  knew  him 
not,  what  hope  can  be  indulged  of  attract- 
ing any  considerable  attention  to  the  mem- 
ory of  one,  so  long  gone  by  in  the  proces- 
sion of  ages,  as  to  have  left  scarcely  any 
that  can  recal  his  image  ? 

For,  it  is  not  pretended  that  the  subject 
of  these  Memoirs  was  a  Luther  or  Calvin 
in  the  church,  confined  to  no  cUme,  and 
claimed  by  every  age.  The  distinguished 
men,  who  have  created  a  new  sera  in  reli- 
gion, may  be  recalled  to  notice  at  any  time, 
and  can  always  justify  the  interest  w^hich 
they  never  fail  to  excite.  But  the  history 
of  those  who  filled  a  narrower  circle  during 
life,  must  be  recorded  immediately  after 
death,  or  the  world  will  refuse  to  listen  to 
the  instruction  which  they  may  be  able  to 
afford. 

Sometimes,  indeed,  the  powers  of  the 
biographer  may  supply  the  deficiencies  of 
his  theme,  and  attract  attention  to  the  pic- 
ture, whose  original  would  be  despised. 
As  in  the  life  of  Savage,  we  value  only 
the  pen  of  Johnson.  But  though  the  bi- 
ographer of  Darracott,  pretends  to  no  such 
powers,  while  he  questions  the  propriety 
of  extorting  attentions  to  which  the  subject 
has  no  just  claims,  he  has  been  induced  by 


the  force  of  various  considerations,  to  print 
the  following  Memoirs. 

The  papers  from  which  the  volume  is 
compiled,  have  long  been  preserved  in  the 
family  of  the  deceased,  as  precious  relics. 
Frequentl}^  presented  to  the  eye  of  friend- 
ship, they  have  furnished  the  employment 
of  many  interesting  hours,  and  proved  the 
source  of  the  most  sacred  pleasures.  It 
was  owned  by  all,  that  they  furnish  such  a 
picture  of  a  heart  devoted  to  the  divine  glo- 
ry, a  life  consumed  in  most  successful  evan- 
gelical labours,  and  a  death  pre-eminently 
distinguished  by  holy  triumphs,  that  it  was 
scarcely  less  than  a  duty  to  draw  them  from 
obscurity,  and  prevent  their  passing  unim- 
proved into  oblivion. 

Since  Christians  feel,  to  their  cost,  how 
much  they  are  affected  by  the  spirit  and 
conduct  of  the  living  world  around  them  ; 
should  we  not  endeavour  to  furnish  an  anti- 
dote to  the  poison,  by  calling  up  even  those 
who  have  been  long  dead,  that  we  may  live 
in  the  circle  of  those  who  instruct  by  their 
superior  wisdom,  inspire  esteem  for  their 
character,  and  stimulate  to  imitation  of  their 
conduct  ?  Whenever  the  God  of  all  grace 
indulges  the  world  with  distinguished  spe- 
cimens of  religion,  we  should  study  to  per- 
petuate their  usefulness  beyond  the  narrow 
limifs  of  their  mortal  race.  And  though  it 
is  to  be  regretted,  that  Risdon  Darracott 
1* 


VI 


had  not  found  a  biographer  among  his  con- 
temporaries, who  would  have  enjoyed  su- 
perior opportunities  of  extending  and  pro- 
longing his  influence  ;  it  may  be  hoped,  as 
truth  and  hoHness  are  immutable,  that  ex- 
cellencies such  as  are  here  exhibited,  will 
still  find  their  sympathies  in  the  hearts  of 
Christians,  and  even  now  rouse  to  sacred 
emulation.  For  it  is  presumed,  that  few 
pious  persons  will  rise  from  the  perusal  of 
these  Memoirs,  without  feeling  their  humil- 
ity increased  by  the  consciousness  of  infe- 
riority, or  their  zeal  inflamed  by  the  sight  of 
superior  ardour. 

If  the  work  was  to  be  attempted,  the 
connexion  of  the  Author  with  the  family 
of  the  deceased,  seemed  to  impose  on  him 
the  duty  ;  as,  by  marrying  the  granddaugh- 
ter of  Mr.  Darracott,  he  has  come  into  pos- 
session of  the  documents  from  which  the 
volume  is  compiled.  That  he  has  yielded 
to  the  force  of  the  considerations  which  in- 
duced the  attempt,  he  is  forbidden  to  re- 
gret ;  whatever  reception  these  Memoirs 
may  obtain  from  the  public.  For  it  has 
proved  a  privilege  to  hold  converse  with 
the  pious  dead. 

Should  the  perusal  of  this  volume  afford 
to  each  reader  but  a  moiety  of  the  edifica- 
tion and  delight  they  have  afforded  to  the 
compiler,  they  will  prove  one  of  the  most 
valuable  opportunities   of  usefulness  with 


Vll 

which  he  has  been  hidulged.  Of  this  he 
would  not  despair.  For  though  some  part 
of  the  happy  impressions  produced,  may 
have  arisen  from  the  sight  of  manuscripts, 
so  tinged  with  age  as  to  recal  the  memory 
of  those  who  have  been  long  at  rest,  or 
written  with  a  tremulous  hand  on  the  eve  of 
a  triumphant  death  ;  the  principal  source  of 
emotions  which  rendered  the  compilation 
of  the  volume  a  devotional  exercise,  w^as 
the  divine  sentiments,  the  holy  tempers,  the 
heavenly  anticipations,  expressed  by  Mr. 
Darracott,  or  his  friends.  May  these  be 
copied  into  the  reader's  breast ! 

If,  in  addition  to  the  reasons  why  the 
Author  has  written,  it  be  expected  that  a 
preface  will  contain  the  summary  of  what 
the  reader  may  expect  to  find,  this  may  be 
told  in  one  word — religion.  Risdon  Dar- 
racott w^as  not  a  man  of  the  w  orld,  whose 
Memoirs  will  increase  our  acquaintance 
with  the  history  of  his  country  or  age  :  he 
passed  through  this  world  as  a  pilgrim  to 
a  better,  and  paid  no  more  attention  to  the 
affairs  of  earth  than  was  demanded  by  his 
allegiance  to  heaven.  But  as  religion  has 
a  world  of  its  own,  he  was,  in  the  noblest 
sense,  a  citizen  of  the  world. 

Tn  a  contracted  sphere,  he  possessed  an 
enlarged  heart,  which  took  a  Uvely  interest 
in  the  concerns  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom,  w^herever  it  was  estabhshed,  and  in- 


Vlll 


troduced  him  to  acquaintance  and  corres- 
pondence with  those  whose  praise  is  in  all 
the  churches.  Doddridge,  Whitefield,  Her- 
vey,  the  late  Countess  Dowager  of  Hunt- 
ingdon, Dr.  Gillies  of  Glasgow,  Mr.  Walk- 
er of  Truro,  and  Joseph  Williams  of  Kid- 
derminster, persons  dear  to  the  memory  of 
catholic  Christians,  were  the  friends  of  his 
bosom  ;  though  several  of  them  he  never 
saw,  till  he  met  them  among  disembodied 
spirits.  Those  eminent  persons  have  often 
been  exhibited  in  their  own  Memoirs,  and 
they  were  worthy  to  form  distinct  pictures ; 
but  here,  we  may  still  further  increase  our 
acquaintance  with  them,  by  viewing  them 
in  the  group  of  their  coadjutors  in  that  no- 
ble work  to  which  they  consecrated  their 
days. 

But,  from  the  different  communions  to 
which  the  correspondents  of  Darracott  be- 
longed, it  will  be  manifest  that  the  zeal  of 
the  sectarian,  who  can  see  no  religion  out 
of  his  own  pale,  will  not  be  gratified  with 
this  Memoir.  Darracott  maintained,  in- 
deed, with  the  firmness  of  a  superior  mind, 
that  form  of  Christianity  which  appeared  to 
him  most  agreeable  to  its  Great  Author ; 
but  he  v/as  too  good-tempered  for  a  bigot, 
and  too  devotional  to  be  engrossed  by  any 
but  the  vital  principles  of  religion. 

Associations  of  Christians  which  require 
a  sacrifice  of  their  distinguishing  principles, 


IX 


are  equally  disgraceful  to  all  the  .parties 
concerned ;  but  co-operation  among  diffe- 
rent communions  on  general  principles,  to 
promote  the  grand  objects  in  which  they 
are  all  agreed,  has  peculiar  charms.  Such 
associations  form  the  honourable  distinction 
of  the  present  age.  This  volume,  howev- 
er, exhibits  the  operation  of  the  same  spir- 
it, though  upon  a  smaller  scale.  We  are 
but  perfecting  what  Darracott  and  his  con- 
temporaries began.  As  other  men  have 
laboured,  and  we  have  entered  into  their 
labours  ;  may  it  be  ours  to  improve  to  the 
utmost,  the  advantages  we  derive  from 
their  catholic  zeal ! 

There  are  occasions  on  which  we  are 
peculiarly  called  to  sacrifice  to  truth,  and 
others  on  which  we  should  pay  our  vows  to 
charity.  The  two  are  indeed  harmonious, 
like  the  inhabitants  of  the  heaven  from 
which  they  descend.  For  "  charity  rejoic- 
eth  in  the  truth."  But  while  it  is  often  our 
sacred  duty  to  contend  earnestly  for  the 
best  form  of  godliness,  it  is  equally  incum- 
bent on  all  Christians,  to  seize  every  oppor- 
tunity for  displaying  the  power  of  it  unin- 
cumbered with  the  distinctions  which  arise 
from  the  weaknesses  of  men.  That  the 
Memoirs  of  Hisdon  Darracott  should  exhi- 
bit Christianity  in  this  pure  uncoloured 
light,  will  appear  unquestionable  to  every 
reader  of  discernment.    This  conviction  in 


the  mind  of  the  writer,  has  induced  him  to 
pass  over  one  minor  occurrence,  in  which, 
though  Mr.  Darracott  would  have  appeared 
to  advantage,  his  opponents  would  have 
been  placed  in  a  shade  that  would  displease 
those  who  now  adopt  their  views,  and 
whom  it  was  the  author's  wish  not  to  irritate 
but  to  edify. 

There  are  those  who  expect  to  find  the 
records  of  genius  or  literature,  in  the  me- 
moirs of  an  eminent  minister  of  religion ; 
but  they  are  here  apprized,  that  Kisdon 
Darracott  never  aspired  to  rank  among  the 
literati  of  his  age.  His  papers  furnish  no 
fragments  of  mental  project,  no  correspon- 
dence with  the  candidates  for  literary  fame. 
To  express,  in  the  simplest  language,  the 
thoughts  which  claim  nearer  affinity  to  the 
heart  than  the  head,  was  all  his  aim  ;  and 
solicitous  only  to  fill  heaven  with  the  tri- 
umphs of  the  Redeemer,  he  was  satisfied 
that  his  own  record  was  on  high. 

This,  however,  will  but  render  his  Me- 
moirs more  generally  useful.  It  must  be 
the  lot  of  by  far  the  greater  number  of 
ministers,  to  imitate  those  Apostles,  who 
consumed  their  Uves  in  preaching,  and  left 
no  written  instrudions  to  the  church.  And 
he  who  should  here  learn  to  secure  an  apos- 
tle's reward,  may  cheerfully  resign  an  au- 
thor's fame. 

The  second  edition  of  these  Memoirs^ 


XI 

which  has  been  unexpectedly  demanded, 
is  now  presented  to  the  public,  with  grate- 
ful acknowledijments  to  the  Author  of  all 
Good,  for  the  improvement  and  delight 
which  many  have  declared  themselves  to 
have  derived  from  the  work.  Thus  en- 
couraged, the  Author  has  determined  to  en- 
large the  biography  so  far,  as  to  fill  the  vol- 
ume without  the  addition  of  Mr  Darra- 
cott's  Scripture  Marks  of  Salvation, 
which  accompanied  the  first  edition  of 
the  Memoirs.  Those  Marks,  however, 
with  the  Editor's  JNotes,  being  equally 
demanded,  are  reprinted  m  a  form  that 
will  admit  of  their  being  bound  up  with 
the  Life,  should  any  one  wish  to  preserve 
them  in  one  volume. 

The  enlargement  of  the  present  edition 
has  arisen  partly  from  the  insertion  of  ad- 
ditional information  concerning  Mr.  Dar- 
racott  and  his  friends,  and  partly  also  from 
the  expansion  deemed  necessary  to  place 
some  circumstances,  previously  glanced  at, 
in  a  more  conspicuous  and  useful  point  of 
light. 

The  correspondence  between  Mr.  Dar- 
racott  and  his  friends,  which  might  have 
been  swelled  to  a  far  larger  extent,  was  in 
the  former  edition  much  contracted,  in  or- 
der to  keep  the  volume  within  the  size  and 
I)rice  most  calculated  to  promote  its  circu- 
ation. 


xu 


But,  in  deference  to  the  judgments  of 
some  valued  friends,  who  had  expressed 
much  pleasure  in  that  part  of  the  work,  it 
is  now  extended  by  the  addition  of  several 
letters,  and  by  the  insertion  of  paragraphs 
of  others,  formerly  suppressed  for  want  of 
room.  In  its  present  form,  the  work  is  de- 
voted with  reiterated  vows  to  the  service 
of  Him,  who  has  already  deigned  to  hon- 
our it  with  His  smiles. 


MEMOIRS,  &C. 


CHAPTER  I. 


MR.    DARRACOTt's    ANCESTRY    AND    BIRTH. 


For  Christians  to  sigh  after  the  honours  of 
heraldry  is  not  ambition,  but  meanness  ;  since 
they  can  claim  more  than  noble  or  regal  descent, 
being  born  not  of  blood,  but  of  God.  As,  how- 
ever, the  eternal  King,  the  fountain  of  honour, 
extends  his  favour  to  the  seed  of  those  who 
serve  him,  calling  Israel  a  people  near  to  him, 
and  assigning  this  reason,  "  ye  are  the  seed  of 
Abraham,  my  friend  f  it  would  be  ingratitude 
and  impiety  to  throw  away  honours  so  sacred, 
conferred  by  such  a  hand.  Nor  can  a  Christian 
look  to  the  general  assembly  of  the  spirits  of 
just  men  made  perfect,  and  behold  there  a  long 
line  of  ancestors  who  have  served  God  with  dis- 
2 


14  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

tinguished  devotion,  without  feeling  himself  ex- 
alted by  the  relation,  stimulated  by  their  exam- 
ple, and  borne  on  their  wings  to  heaven. 

It  would,  therefore,  be  injustice  to  the  memory 
of  Pi-isdon  Darracott,  and  an  injury  to  the  iii- 
terests  of  religion,  not  to  claim  for  him  the 
honours  of  which  an  apostle  reminded  Timothy, 
"  that  his  mother  and  grandmother  were  holy 
women,  in  whom  dwelt  the  unfeigned  faith  of 
God's  elect."  The  subject  of  the  following  pages 
might,  indeed,  trace  his  pious  ancestry  still  far- 
ther back ;  for  his  great  grandfather  by  the 
mother's  side  was  a  confessor  in  the  cause  of 
religion,  during  the  reign  of  Charles  the  first. 
Abhorring  the  ceremonies  introduced  by  Arch- 
bishop Laud  into  the  establishment  of  his  native 
country,  he  joined  with  those  who  ventured 
across  the  Atlantic,  to  bury  themselves  in  the 
woods  of  America.  "  The  sun,"  said  these 
voluntary  exiles  for  religion's  sake,  "  shines  as 
pleasantly  on  America  as  on  Britain  ;  the  same 
providence  that  has  guarded  us  here  watches 
over  that  country  ;  and  why  should  we  hesitate 
to  adopt  as  our  parent  a  country  which  would 
afford  us  liberty  of  religion,  when  our  own  has 
proved  to  us  a  stepmother  ?"  It  required,  how- 
ever, all  the  force  of  principle,  expressed  in  this 
sentence  with  the  eloquence  of  truth  and  feeling, 
to  rouse  the  puritans  to  such  a  measure.  For 
the  improvements  of  navigation  had  not  yet  di- 
minished   the  dangers  of  the   voyage,   and  the 


MEMOIRS     OF    1)ARRAC0TT.  15 

American  savages,  who  still  excite    horror,  were 
at  that  time  tenfold  more  formidable. 

In  that  desert  world  the  ancestor  of  Mr. 
Darracott  was  blessed  with  a  daughter  ;  who  was 
born  in  the  year  1G54,  and  named  Hannah. 
Though  it  must  have  been  painful  to  parents 
who  had  been  accustomed  to  the  comforts  of 
England,  to  see  a  daughter  growing  up  amidst 
the  wilds  of  America ;  the  puritans  and  their 
wives  preferred  rearing  their  children  to  pure 
religion,  under  every  privation,  to  infecting  them 
with  the  contagion  of  superstition  for  the  sake  of 
the  elegant  luxuries  of  life.  It  cannot,  however, 
be  asoiertained  whether  these  good  old  confessors 
died  in  their  voluntary  exile,  or  returned  with 
their  child  to  end  their  days  in  England. 

Their  American  daughter,  indeed,  became  a 
resident  in  the  native  country  of  her  ancestors  ; 
for  she  was  married  to  Philip  Risdon,  of  Bidde- 
ford,  in  Devonshire,  from  whom  the  subject  of 
the  following  memoir  derived  his  baptismal  name. 
The  title  of  generous  gentleman,  given  to  Mr. 
Risdon,  in  ancient  documents,  is  an  indication  of 
what  may  be  called  a  man  of  family,  raised  above 
the  necessity  of  labour,  or  trade  ;  for  the  fashion 
of  giving  titles  to  those  who  are  supported  by 
industry  was  not  then  known.  Mr.  Risdon's 
attachment  to  pure  religion  brought  him  ac- 
quainted with  the  daughter  of  the  refugee,  who 
had  preferred  a  good  conscience  to  the  comforts 
of  his  native  land.  In  her,  therefore,  he  possessed 
a  companion  of  kindred  soul ;  for  she  inherited 


16  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

her  father's  pious  sentiments  gind  heroic  spirit. 
And  in  him  the  emigrant  family  found  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  Redeemer's  promise  :  "  There  is  no 
man  that  hath  left  house,  or  brethren,  or  sisters, 
or  father,  or  mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  or 
lands,  for  my  sake  and  the  Gospel's  ;  but  he 
shall  receive  a  hundred  fold,  now  in  this  time, 
houses,  and  brethren,  and  sisters,  and  mothers, 
and  children,  and  lands." 

One  daughter  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Risdon 
in  1693,  whom  they  named  Hannah,  after  her 
mother.  Upon  her,  life  opened  with  a  more 
auspicious  dawn  than  upon  her  maternal  ances- 
tors ;  for  she  was  not  only  born  in  Britain,  but 
under  the  tolerant  reign  of  William,  who  had 
now  terminated  the  religious  persecutions  which 
formerly  desolated  our  country,  and  drove  many 
of  its  inhabitants  into  foreign  lands.  Mr.  Risdon 
died  too  early  to  see  his  daughter  settled  in  life, 
leaving  his  mourning  relict  with  her  only  child, 
as  the  solace  of  her  widowhood. 

When  Miss  Risdon  came  of  age  in  1714,  she 
was  given  in  marriage  to  Richard  Darracott,  at 
that  time  the  dissenting  minister  of  Swanage, 
in  Dorsetshire.  This  was  one  of  the  numerous 
host  who  have  verified  the  poet's  beautiful 
stanza  : 

"Full  many  a  gem  of  brightest  ray  serene, 
The  dark  unfathora'd  caves  of  ocean  bear, 
Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

The  Darracotts,  as  well  as  the  Risdons,  were 


MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT.  17 

ancient  residents  of  Bidd^eford,  in  Devon.  The 
guildhall  of  that  town  is  said  to  contain  the  por- 
traits of  Mr.  Darracott's  ancestors,  who  are  re- 
corded with  honour  among  the  mayors  of  Bid- 
deford.  From  this  his  paternal  line,  the  sub- 
ject of  the  following  pages  was  entitled  to  an 
estate,  which,  however,  he  never  possessed. 

Richard  Darracott,  like  Moses,  learned  in  all 
the  wisdom  of  the  world,  and  fit  to  shine  in 
courts,  preferred  affliction  with  the  people  of 
God  ;  for,  retiring  to  feed  the  flock  of  God,  he 
spent  his  days  watching  over  a  handful  of  plain 
people  in  an  obscure  country  town.  When  the 
writer  of  this  memoir  walked  through  the  town 
of  Swanage,  almost  as  retired  as  the  quarries  by 
which  it  is  currounded  ;  entered  the  singularly 
antiquated  little  meeting-house  where  the  faith- 
ful pastor  preached  ;  and  approached  the  ashlar 
cottage  on  the  hill  where  the  good  man  lived,  he 
could  not  help  calling  to  mind  the  happy  hours 
employed  in  reading  the  records  of  his  wisdom 
and  piety,  and  saying  to  himself,  "  was  this  all 
that  the  world  could  afford  such  a  man  ?"  But 
thus  the  friends  of  God  have  been  treated  in  a 
world  at  enmity  with  him.  They  "  wandered 
in  sheep  skins  and  goat  skins,  in  deserts  and 
caves  of  the  earth,  being  destitute,  afflicted,  tor- 
mented, of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy." 

Neither  the  obscurity  of  the  situation,  how- 
ever, nor  the  smallness  of  his  charge,  ever  gen- 
erated in  the  mind  of  Richard  Darracott  the  lazy 
arrogant  conceit,  that  his  callow  thoughts  were 
2^ 


18  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

good  enough  for  his  audience.  With  great  care 
he  prepared,  not  only  for  the  pulpit,  where  he 
might  sometimes  expect  to  address  strangers 
attracted  by  his  talents,  but  also  for^  those 
private  meetings  of  the  members  of  the  church, 
held  after  the  Lord's  supper,  from  which  all 
strangers  were  excluded.  The  notes  of  the 
addresses  he  delivered  on  these  occasions,  when 
the  pastor  usually  pours  out  the  fulness  of  his 
heart,  without  any  attempt  to  shine,  excite  the 
highest  ideas  of  his  intellectual  powers,  and  of 
the  solicitude  with  which  he  studied  on  every 
occasion  to  promote  the  edification  of  his  flock. 
A  minister  could  not  read  them  without  feeling 
reproved,  or  without  saying,  "  if  such  were  his 
most  familiar  exhortations  to  a  little  company  of 
Christians  in  a  vestry,  what  would  have  been  his 
exertions  to  instruct  and  save  the  multitudes 
whom  we  are  frequently  called  to  address  ?"■ 


>* 


*  From  a  volume  of  these  addresses   now  lying  before  him,  the 
author  cannof  refrain  from  giving  a  few  exMacts,  as  a  specimen  of 
the  manner  in  which  some  ohscure  dissenting  ministers  were  em- 
ployed in  feeding  their  flocks  a  hundred  years  ago — 
"  My  friends, 

"  Meeting  together  thus  in  private,  while  others  are  at  their 
trades,  we  declare  that  we  are  not  of  this  world,  but  are  pilgrims 
traveUing  to  a  better.  Heaven  is  a  Christian's  proper  home  and 
country.  He  is  born  from  above,  his  conversation  is  in  heaven, 
his  eternal  habitation  is  there,  his  head  and  Lord  there,  his  best 
friends  and  kindred  there.  At  such  seasons  as  these,  he  meets  his 
country  folks  to  talk  about  his  home,  his  fellow-travellers  to 
animate  each  other  in  their  heavenly  march.  We  now  meet  our 
Lord  :  for  in  this  private  place,  I  am  reminded  of  the  sweet 
passage.  Canticles  vii.  11.  where  the  church  desires  to  go  forth  to 
fields  ^nd  villages,  to  walk  with  Christ,  to  receive  counsel,  instruc- 
tion, and  comfort  from  him,  with  freedom,  and  without  interrup- 
tion. Those  that  would  converse  with  Christ  must  escape  from 
the  hurries  of  the  world,  to  attend  upon  the  Lord  without  distrac- 


MEMOIRS    OP    DARllACOTT.  19 

Well  might  these  fathers  of  the  dissent  protest 
that  they  did  not  serve  God  with  what  cost  them 
nought,  nor  supply  the  lamps  of  his  sanctuary 
with  unbeaten  oil.  They  took  alarm  at  the  voice 
that  saith,  "  Cursed  be  he  that  doeth  the  work  of 
the   Lord   negligently."       They   teach  us  what 


tion.  "  Isaac  went  out  into  the  fields  at  evening  to  meditate." 
Here  we  may  meditate  on  the  grace  that  hath  made  us  to  differ 
from  the  rest  of  the  world.  Not  in  outward  condition,  here  all 
things  come  alike  to  all.  Is  David  rich  ?  so  is  Nabal.  If  Joseph 
is  favoured  of  his  prince,  so  is  Haman  too.  Was  wicked  Ahab 
killed  in  battle  ?  so  was  good  Josiah.  But  with  regard  to  our 
better  part,  the  inward  peace  of  the  soul,  how  hath  our  God  dis- 
tinguished us  !  A  good  man  can  look  every  way  with  comfort, 
but  the  sinner,  if  his  reason  were  not  blinded,  Would  always  be 
in  Belshazzar's  trembling  fit. 

"1.  If  they  look  dovmward.  A  Christian  can  take  a  view  of 
the  grave  with  comfort.  It  is  only  a  resting  place  for  his  flesh. 
•Death  has  no  sling  to  his  spirit.  It  is  but  putting  ofi'  his  clothes, 
or  taking  a  journey.  A  stile  or  two  more,  and  I  am  at  my  father'gs 
house,  amid  my  treasures,  friends,  and  relations.  'Tis  but  winking, 
and  I  am  in  heaven.  But  if  the  sinner  looks  down,  there  is,  first, 
a  dismal  grave  to  receive  his  pampered  sinful  body.  A  mighty 
change  from  former  indulgences, — the  bed  of  down  changed  into 
a  bed  of  dirt  and  putrefaction,  and,  shortly  after,  into  a  bed  of 
flames  ;  for  when  he  looks  lower,  he  sees,  secondly,  a  dreadful 
hell  opening  for  him,  devils  gaping  for  him.  He  dares  not  die,  he 
cannot  live. 

"  2.  If  they  look  backward.  The  believer  says,  with  Paul, 
"  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,"  or  with  Hezekiah,  *'  remember 
how  I  have  walked  before  thee  in  truth."  But  ah  !  the  sinner 
dares  not  look  back  at  all.  He  would  dread  to  have  God  remem- 
ber how  he  has  walked.  For  he  now  remembers  his  swarms  of 
vile  thoughts,  the  many  hard  speeches  which  he  has  uttered  against 
the  ways  and  people  of  God. 

"  3.  They  look  fonoard  with  different  views.  The  Christian 
with  comfort  and  boldness  to  the  day  of  judgment,  the  second 
coming  of  Christ.  He  says,  "  come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly." 
But  the  sinner  is  described  by  Christ,  when  he  says,  "  men's  hearts 
shall  fail  them  for  fear,  and  for  looking  for  those  things  which 
are  coming  upon  them.  For  when  he  sees  the  Saviour  that  once 
wooed  him,  coming  in  flames  of  fire  to  judge  him,  whither  shall 
he  fly?  0  tremendum  Dei  judicium. 

",4.  See  the  difference  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked, 


JO  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

vigorous  thought  and  intense  feeling  should  dis- 
tinguish  the  discourses,  delivered  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  on  eternal  things. 

In  this  retired,  contracted  sphere,  Ptichard  Dar- 
racott  found  in  Miss  Risdon  such  a  partner  ag 
would  make  any  situation  pleasant.  Inheriting, 
with  undiminished  force,  the  spirit  of  martyrdom 
which  had  induced  her  mother's  father  to  emi- 
grate to  the  new  world ;  she  cheerfully  took  up 
her  abode  at  Swanage,  where  her  fine  talents, 
cultivated  by  her  father's  care,  rendered  her  a  fit 
companion  for  a  man  adapted  to  more  polished 
society  than  his  flock  could  furnish. 

Mrs.  Pusdon  was  much  gratified  by  her  daugh- 
ter's union  to  a  man,  eminently  devoted  to  the 
cause  for  which  her  father  had  suffered  exile  ; 
and,  as  the  young  couple  constituted  all  that  was 
dearest  to  her  in  life,  she  determined  to  accom- 
pany her  daughter  to  her  residence,  and  fix  her 
home  in  their  humble  dwelling.  Here  she  had  the 
happiness  to  see  Mrs.  Darracott  present  her  hus- 
band with  a  daughter,  who  was,  early  in  life, 
married  to  Mr.  Isaac  Clark,  a  dissenting  minister 
at  Bow,  in  Devonshire.  Shortly  before  the  birth 
of  her   next  child,  Mrs.  Darracott  was  called  to 

when  they  look  upward.  The  Christian  lifts  up  his  head  because 
his  redemption  draweth  nigh.  They  see  their  crown,  their  trea- 
sure, in  heaven,  and  their  h.earts  leap  for  joy.  It  now  makes  their 
hearts  beat  frladly,  how  much  more  when  just  entering  into  pos- 
session. When  the  sinner  looks  upward,  he  sees  a  heaven  that 
denies  him  admittance.  The  judge  says,  "I  know  you  not." 
There  is  an  angry  God,  whose  lace  is  a  flaming  fire  against  thee 
though  it  smiles  on  thy  pious  neighbour." 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  21 

the  painful  task  of  committing  to  the  grave  the 
remains  of  her  beloved  mother,  who  was  then  in 
her  sixty-third  year. 

It  is  probable  that  the  pangs  of  this  separation 
contributed  to  hasten  her  own  end  ;  for  from  this 
time  she  drooped,  and  this  lily  of  the  valley  was 
destined  to  be  soon  transplanted  to  the  bowers  of 
Paradise.  Within  a  few  weeks,  she  followed  her 
parent  to  the  grave,  having  died  in  child-bed, 
shortly  after  giving  birth  to  the  subject  of  these 
memoirs.  Could  she  have  foreseen  what  would 
be  the  character  of  her  son,  she  would  gladly 
have  sacrificed  life  to  bless  the  cause  of  Christ, 
which  she  loved  better  than  life,  with  such  a 
minister.  But,  without  this  additional  motive, 
her  heavenly  mind  enabled  her  cheerfully  to  re- 
sign the  husband  of  her  youth,  and  the  infant 
fruits  of  their  love,  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ, 
which,  with  the  Apostle,  she  pronounced  *«  far 
better."  She  died  in  1716,  in  the  twenty-fourth 
year  of  her  age.  The  remains  of  the  mother 
and  daughter  are  deposited  in  the  same  tomb, 
near  the  door  of  the  established  place  of  worship, 
in  Swanage.^  Lovely  and  pleasant  were  they, 
in  life,  and  in  death   they  were  not  divided.     A 


♦At  this  place,  about  twenty  years  ago,  preached  a  gay  young 
clergyman;  who,  passing  by  the  house  of  one  of  Mr.  Darracott's 
former  flock,  and  overhearing  him  at  family  prayer,  on  the 
evening  of  the  Lord's  day,  took  the  liberty  of  violently  kicking  at 
the  door,  to  disturb  the  family  in  its  worship.  When  questioned 
concerning  his  conduct,  the  reason  he  assigned  was,  that  he 
thought  the  family  were  a  set  of  Methodists,  and  he  would  have 
all  such  people  rooted  up.     But  the  reader  will  now  rejoice  ta 


22 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 


grey    Stone,    much    worn 
passenger,    exhibits    the 
ijind  inscription  : — 


by    the    foot   of  the 
following    appearance 


In  this  Tomb,  lies  Ihe  Body  of 

Havnah,  Wife  of 

R.   DARRACOTT,  in  this 

Parish  of  Sivanage, 

Minister  of  the  Word  of  God. 

She,  filled  with  Graces 

and 

adorned  with  rare  Abilities, 

at  the 

COMMAND  OF  GOD, 

forsook  her 

Husband  and  her  Infants, 

to  fly  to  Heaven, 

on  the 

Tenth  of  Febhuart, 

ofSaIvationl7l6. 
of  her  aire  24. 


in  the  year 


In  this  Tomb,  also  lies  the  Body 
of  Haxnah,  the  Mother 
of  the  aforesaid  Hannah. 

She  was  born 

IN  NEW  ENGLAND; 

whither  for 

tf\t  Safer  of  ?ltliflion, 

her  Father  had  fled. 

She  was  married 

to  Philipp  Risdon,  Gent. 

at  BiDDEFORD. 

She  came  hither  with 

her  Daughter,  and  in  a 

short  time  put  off"  Mortality, 

on  the  Third  of  January, 

.    ^,  (  of  Salvation  1716. 

mtheyear    ^^j^^^  3^ 


Mr.  Darracott  had  now  passed  through  the 
flowery  part  of  his  path,  for  all  the  rest  was 
thickly  set  with  thorns.  The  recollection  of  his 
short-lived    domestic    bliss   was   rendered   more 


learn,  that  the  pastor  of  the  conjrreffation  received,  a  year  or  two 
after,  the  following  letter  from  ihe  same  clergyman. 
Dear  Sir, 
I  have  had  the  imspeakable  happiness  to  have  my  views 
entirely  chansied,  with  regard  to  the  religious  sentiments  I 
preached  at  Swanacre.  I,  who  once  persecuted  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Jesus,  now  preach  it.  Indeed,  Sir,  I  do  not  deceive  you. 
Jesus  Christ  has  wondorfully  revealed  himself  to  mv  soul. — I  am 
a  brand  plucked  from  the  fire. —I  am  a  monument  of  divine  love. — 
I  reject  the  doclrinri  of  heathc?n  morality  I  preached  at  Swanage, 
and  elsewhere.    I  preach  nothing  no\f  but  the  everlasting  gospe!  of 


BfEMOiRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  23 

painful,  by  the  sight  of  the  babes  who  were  de- 
prived of  their  mother  at  that  period  of  life-, 
which  most  needs  a  mother's  care  ;  and  when  he 
sought  to  supply  that  loss  by  a  second  marriage, 
he  plunged  into  an  abyss  of  woes.  For,  after 
remaining  some  years  in  a  widowed  state,  having 
determined  to  marry  again,  he  fixed  his  affections 
on  one  who  had  first  attracted  his  notice,  by  the 
appearance  of  eminent  religion. 

His  former  partner  was  a  woman  of  such 
excellencies,  as  would  have  eclipsed  the  charms 
of  most  others  ;  but  Mr.  Darracott  remembered 
her  with  regrets  more  poignant,  in  consequence  of 
the  perfect  contrast  between  her  and  his  second 
wife.  He  hoped,  indeed,  to  have  found  one  of 
kindred  spirit  :  but  was  soon  alarmed  by  the  dis- 
covery of  her  hatred  to  the  piety  of  which  his 
heart  was  the  altar  and  his  house  the  temple. 
On   remonstrating   with  her,  and  asking,   "  did  I 


Jesus  Christ  ;  and  in  this  letter,  I  tell  the  people  of  Swanage,  I  have 
built  them  upon  their  own  righteousnep^?,-  but  now  declare,  there  is 
no  hope  but  in  a  Saviour  alone — I  have  ihe  interest  of  my  Saviour 
warm  at  heart,  and  the  kive  of  God  abundantly  shed  abroad  in  me. 
May  God  keep  my  heart  warm  and  animated  in  his  cause  and  glory. 
As  I  believe  you  preach  the  G(jspel,  I  write  to  you  and  acknow- 
ledge I  have  done  an  injury  to  you,  and  your  people,  and  the 
cause  of  Christ  at  Swanage.  I  enlreat  your  pardon,  I  did  it  in 
ignorance  and  unbelief.  And  now,  my  conscience  will  not  be 
easy  till  I  have  confessed  this. 

And  I  am  not  ashamed  to  confess  it  to  yru,  to  them,  and  all  the 
world.  I  beg  pardon,  also,  of  an  o!d  Gentleman  in  your  Society, 
whose  door  I  violently  assaulted,  while  at  prayers  in  his  own  house. 

May  the  Lord  prosper  the  cause  of  Christ  at  Swanage,  and  all 
the  people  of  God  there  ;  and  prosper  you  in  all  your  well-meant 
undertakings.  My  brotherly  love  to  all,  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  lu  sincerity. 

Your  unworthy,  but  labouring  Servant  in  the  Goapel. 


£4  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

not  witness  your  secret  retirement  for  devotion 
before  I  married  you  ?  and  liad  I  not  reason  to 
think  that  religion  was  your  element  and  delight  ?" 
he  received  a  reply  which  went  as  a  dagger  to  his 
heart  :  "  The  greater  hypocrite  was  I ;  for  it  was 
all  done  to  gain  you." 

It  must  be  perfectly  unnecessary  to  say,  that 
such  an  explanation  blasted  all  prospect  of  do- 
mestic felicity.  For  as  religious  hypocrisy  is  an 
attempt  to  put  a  trick  upon  omniscience,  it  is 
most  hateful  to  God,  and  operates  by  his  just 
judgment  as  a  deadly  poison  to  the  heart  and 
conscience  of  the  hypocrite.  Whatever  pains, 
therefore,  this  pious  man  might  have  been  dis- 
posed to  take  for  the  conversion  of  the  unhappy 
creature  by  whom  he  had  been  ensnared  into  a 
connexion  fatal  to  his  peace  ;  she  soon  proved 
that  a  good  husband,  won  by  guilty  arts,  will  be- 
come hateful  to  female  depravity.  Forsaking 
the  guide  of  her  youth,  and  renouncing  an  hon- 
ourable connexion  of  which  she  was  not  worthy, 
she  threw  herself  into  the  arms  of  a  man  fit  for 
such  fellowship  of  iniquity  ;  and  after  having 
slept  in  the  bed  of  the  adulterer,  she  lay  down 
at  death  in  a  bed  of  thorns. 

Many  interesting  and  instructive  reflections 
are  suggested  by  this  event.  The  anguish  which 
it  must  have  occasioned  to  such  a  man  as  Mr. 
Darracott  will  excite  the  sympathy  of  every 
reader.  It  is,  then,  consoling  to  know  that  he 
was  not  tortured  with  the  reflections  of  his  own 
conscience,  for  rushing  with  his  eyes  open  into  a 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  25 

connexion  forbidden  by  the  divine  word.  To 
search  the  heart  is  not  our  prerogative,  and 
therefore  not  our  duty.  He  might  confidently 
look  up  to  him  who  sometimes  sees  fit  to  wound 
his  servants  in  the  tenderest  place,  but  ever 
affords  them  consolation  under  the  afllictions  of 
his  providence,  and  converts  the  severest  trials 
into  eternal  blessings.  Far  different  was  the 
case  of  a  minister,  who  was  thus  warned  by  an 
elderly  female  of  his  congregation  against  a  con- 
nexion which  he  was  about  to  form  ;  "  I  shall 
expect  no  blessing  to  attend  your  ministry  from 
the  time  you  take  an  enemy  to  Christ  into  your 
bosom."     The  event  justified  the  premonition. 

It  cannot  now,  indeed,  be  known  with  certain- 
ty, whether  Mr.  Darracott  acted  with  all  the  cir- 
cumspection,  which    a  connexion    so  important 
demands.     The    affections    are    too    often    first 
consulted,  and   when  they  have   become  clamor- 
ous, they   extort  from  the   reluctant  judgment  a 
sentence  in  their  own   favour.      Such    evidences 
are  then    admitted,  as  on  cool    retrospection  we 
pronounce  invalid.     The   concurrence  of  events 
which   brought  the   objects  together,  the  time  of 
the  first  meeting,  the  very  bias  of  the  mind  to- 
wards   the  union,    are  all   adduced  to  prove  the 
divine  designs  in  the  affair  ;  so  as  to  call  off  the 
judgment    from   consulting  that   infallible    rule, 
by  which  we  are  to  try  events  and  tempers,  and 
to  know  the  will  of  heaven. 

This  aflfliction  which  befel  Mr.  Darracott,  fur- 
nishes, however,  a  solemn   warning  against  all 
3 


26  MEMOIRS    Of   darracott. 

dissimulation  in  religion,  which  may  perhaps 
accomplish  its  object,  but  will  certainly  blast  the 
enjoyment.  Here  we  see  an  unhappy  female 
succeed  in  winning  the  person  with  whom  she 
was  enamoured  ;  not  perceiving,  till  it  was  too 
late,  that  a  kindred  disposition  is  essential  to  the 
happiness  of  life.  Those  who  study  to  deserve, 
rather  than  to  obtain,  the  object  of  desire,  are 
sure  of  success  ;  for  ivith  the  object  they  then 
have  a  blessing,  and  without  it  they  find  com- 
pensation in  their  own  improvement.  Young 
persons  should  learn  from  hence  to  abhor  hypoc- 
risy, which  poisons  all  the  character,  and  by  a 
thousand  paths  conducts  to  misery  ;  while  those 
who  have  the  care  of  youth  should  be  roused  to 
warn  them  against  disingenuousness,  taking  care 
never  to  afford  them  the  encouragement  which 
they  will  usually  take,  if  they  can  practise  it  with- 
out detection. 

But  as  we  are  here  led  to  reflect,  how  limited 
are  the  means  of  discovering  the  real  character 
of  those  with  whom  we  are  about  to  enter  into 
the  nearest  relation  of  life,  we  should  feel  the 
truth  of  the  scriptural  maxim,  that  a  good  wife 
is  from  the  Lord.  Those  who  have  succeeded 
in  forming  a  happy  union,  which  gives  a  cheerful 
colour  to  the  whole  of  life,  should  gratefully  ac- 
knowledge that  they  owe  it,  not  to  their  own 
perspicacity,  but  to  the  divine  goodness.  The 
ministers  of  religion,  who  have  peculiar  need  of 
pious  partners,  to  whom  they  impart  a  portion  of 
their  own  public  character,   have  peculiar  cause 


MEMOIRS    OP    DARRACOTT.  27 

to  adore  the  kindness  that  leads  them  to  a  suita- 
ble companion.  For  a  failure  in  this  point,  has 
blasted  the  usefulness  of  many  an  able  man. 

When  Mr.  Darracott  shook  off  the  viper  that 
stung  him  to  the  heart,  he  had  the  happiness  of 
reflecting,  that  there  were  no  children  by  this 
connexion  to  make  the  separation  more  difficult, 
and  that  his  son  and  daughter  by  the  former 
marriage  were  not  now  to  be  educated  within 
the  contagion  of  a  wicked  woman.  His  upright 
affectionate  soul,  formed  for  that  sweetest  solace 
of  human  life — domestic  endearment,  never  en- 
tirely recovered  from  the  shock  ;  for,  what  would 
to  any  man  have  been  severe,  is,  to  the  minister 
of  religion,  peculiarly  aggravated.  It  often  ex- 
poses him  to  disadvantages  in  his  private  walk, 
and  compels  him  to  abstain  from  some  subjects 
of  great  public  interest. 

But  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  foe  to  make 
a  good  man  entirely  wretched.  The  true  sour- 
ces of  bliss  are  too  deep  to  be  poisoned  by  the 
hand  of  the  wicked.  In  communion  with  God, 
in  the  faithful  discharge  of  pastoral  duty,  and  in 
rearing  his  children  for  the  service  of  Christ, 
Mr.  Darracott  experienced  those  consolations 
which  soothed  his  pains.  Nor  was  the  time  of 
trial  long  ;  for  he  was  called  to  enter  into  rest 
before  he  had  completed  his  fortieth  year. 

Before  that  period,  however,  he  had  removed 
to  Chumleigh,  in  Devon.  Whether  this  step  was 
occasioned  by  his  domestic  affliction,  or  whether 


38  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

it  was  taken  with  the  hope  of  recovering  hi» 
elasticity  of  mind  by  change  of  scene,  cannot 
now  be  known  ;  but  as  we  follow  such  a  man  to 
his  last  retreat,  and  to  his  tomb,  we  reflect  with 
awe  on  the  inscrutable  counsels  of  Him,  who 
puts  the  largest  cup  of  affliction  into  the  hands 
of  those,  whom  he  loves  best.  Blessed  are  they 
that  mourn  for  they  shall  be  comforted. 


MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT,  29 


CHAPTER    IL 

FROM  THE  BIRTH   OF   MR.     DARRACOTT     TO     HIS     SET- 
TLEMENT AT   WELLINGTON. 

SwANAGE,  in  the  isle  of  Purbeck,  on  the  sea 
coast  of  Dorsetshire,  has  been  already  pointed 
out  as  the  birth-place  of  Mr.  Darracott.  The  first 
of  February,  in  the  year  1717,  was  the  day  which 
gave  to  the  world  this  child,  who  was  the  death 
of  his  mother,  but  afterwards  became  his  father's 
comfort,  under  what  was  worse  than  the  death 
of  a  beloved  wife,  the  infamy  of  her  successor. 
Risdon,  his  mother's  maiden  name,  was  given  to 
him  at  his  baptism  by  his  afflicted  surviving  parent, 
who  sought  to  perpetuate  a  name  dear  to  him, 
when  dedicating  to  God  with  sorrowful  devotion 
the  tender  branch  whose  parent  stock  was  cut 
down  by  the  hand  of  death.  Thus  the  good  man, 
reminded  that  he  himself  was  mortal,  and  that 
he  might  be  soon  called  to  leave  his  children 
orphans  in  the  world,  laying  hold  of  the  true 
refuge  of  the  Christian  parent,  the  covenant 
which  God  has  made  with  his  people  and  their 
seed  after  them,  said,  «'  Although  my  house  be 
not  so  with  God  (as  I  could  wish),  yet  hath  he 
made  with  me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered 
in  all  things  and  sure ;  this  is  all  my  salvation 
3* 


30  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

and  all  my   desire,   although  he  make   me  not  to 
grow." 

When  his  son  was  about  five  years  old,  Mr.  Dar- 
racott  removed  to  Chumleigh,  in  Devonshire.  In 
this  town,  where  young  Risdon  received  the  first 
rudiments  of  learning  under  parental  tuition,  he 
afterwards  consecrated  to  Christ  the  first  labours 
of  his  ministry  as  his  father's  successor.  Of  his 
boyish  days  nothing  is  known  worthy  of  record. 
It  is  believed  that  when  his  improvement  created 
demands  which  the  leisure  of  his  father  could 
not  supply,  he  was  placed  under  the  tuition  of 
Mr.  Palk,  a  dissenting  minister  of  South  Molton, 
in  Devonshire.  This  good  roan,  as  an  eminent 
schoolmaster  in  his  day,  was  a  blessing  to  the 
rising  generation ;  but  it  is  to  be  regretted  that 
it  should  ever  be  necessary  for  ministers  to  give 
themselves  to  any  other  employment  but  that  of 
their  ministry,  which  demands  all  their  moments, 
all  their  talents,  and  all  their  souls. 

The  estimation  in  which  the  master  is  said  to 
have  been  held  by  all  competent  judges,  joined 
to  the  talents  which  the  pupil  is  known  to  have 
possessed,  render  it  reasonable  to  presume  that 
Risdon  Darracott  early  acquired  considerable 
proficiency  in  classical  learning.  But  as  he  after- 
wards exclusively  devoted  his  existence  to  ano- 
ther and  a  nobler  pursuit,  his  compositions  never 
betrayed  that  classical  enthusiasm,  never  poured 
forth  that  learned  lore,  which  usually  marks  the 
productions  of  those  who  have  risen  to  eminence 
in  elegant  literature. 


MEMOtRS    01*    DARRACOTT.  Si 

From  school,  young  Darracott  went,  at  about 
the  age  of  fifteen,  to  a  dissenting  college  to  study 
for  the  nriinistry.  The  serious  readers  of  his  life 
will,  therefore,  now  naturally  look  for  an  account 
of  the  commencement  of  his  religion.  Of  this, 
however,  none  but  very  slight  and  defective  re- 
cords remain.  No  doubt  can  be  entertained  of 
the  divine  blessing  having  so  far  accompanied 
the  care  of  his  pious  father  to  train  him  up  in  the 
way  in  which  he  should  go,  that  he  never  openly 
departed  from  it.  His  correct  morals  left  him 
no  reason  to  lament,  with  many,  the  sins  of  his 
youth,  and  his  early  attention  to  the  duties  of 
religion,  rendered  it  impossible  for  others  to 
mark  the  period  of  his  conversion. 

But  the  most  early  training,  and  the  most  skil- 
ful pruning,  leave  the  nature  of  the  tree  unchanged. 
Nor  was  Mr.  Darracott  among  the  number  of 
those  who  imagine  that  it  is  the  privilege  of  such 
favoured  youths  as  himself  to  be  exempted  from  _ 
the  necessity  of  regeneration.  He  ever  incul- 
cated with  the  zeal  of  conviction,  and  the  skill  of 
experience,  the  doctrine  of  the  new  birth.  Many 
will,  therefore  conclude,  that  as  he  entered  upon 
a  course  of  studies  for  the  ministry  as  early  as  the 
fifteenth  jei-xr  of  his  life,  he  must  have  enjoyed 
the  happy  change  before  that  period.  For  it  will 
be  said,  surely  a  pious  minister  would  not  have 
devoted  his  son  to  preach  the  gospel  to  others, 
before  it  was  ascertained  that  he  had  experienced 
its  influence  himself,  and  was  called  to  the  work 


32  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT* 

by  that  Redeemer  whose  sole  prerogative  it  is  to 
givQ  to  his  church  pastors  and  teachers. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  unnoticed,  that  the 
first  dissenters  brought  with  them  from  the  com- 
munion, from  which  they  had  but  recently 
emerged,  other  ideas  of  entrance  into  the  ministry. 
That  sacred  calling,  charged  with  so  awful  re- 
sponsibilities, was  too  often  chosen  from  no 
higher  motives  than  predilection  for  a  father's 
profession,  fondness  for  literary  pursuits,  or  a 
wish  to  favour  a  delicate  constitution  with  ex- 
emption from  secular  labours.  It  is,  therefore, 
difficult  to  ascertain  whether  Risdon  Darracott 
experienced  the  vital  change  w^hich  produces 
true  religion,  before  he  went  to  the  seminary  for 
the  ministry,  or  whether  he  found,  while  there, 
the  inestimable  blessing  which  he  was  professedly 
studying  to  proclaim  to  others. 

In  the  choice  of  a  seminary  for  his  son,  Mr. 
Darracott  was  happily  directed  by  the  public 
voice  to  that  over  which  Dr.  Doddridge  presided 
at  Northampton.  The  academy  exhibited  at  this 
time,  indeed,  the  evil  consequences  of  admitting 
young  men  to  study  for  the  ministry,  before  they 
had  given  sufficient  evidence  of  their  regenera- 
tion, or  their  call  to  the  w^ork.  But  the  charac- 
ter of  the  tutor  was,  in  the  instance  before  us,  a 
counterpoise  to  the  evil  ;  for  Doddridge  proved 
an  eminent  blessing  to  his  pupil.  While  in  the 
seminary,  young  Darracott  lost  his  father,  but 
found  another  in  his  tutor.  The  affectionate 
heart  of  the  doctor  soon  formed  a  strong  attach- 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  33 

ment  to  the  youth,  in  whom  he  perceived  a  soul 
panting  for  the  noblest  distinction.  A  humble 
diligence  in  his  studies  won  the  tutor's  esteem, 
and  inspired  such  hopes  of  future  eminence  as 
are  supremely  grateful  to  those  who  are  formed 
for  the  education  of  youth.  Some  manuscript 
volumes,  written  at  college,  equally  attest  the 
ability  of  the  instructor  and  the  industry  of  the 
pupil.  But  it  was  the  frankness  of  young  Darra- 
cott's  mind,  the  purity  and  strength  of  principle 
manifest  in  all  his  conduct,  and  the  ardour  of 
his  devotion  which  so  fixed  the  affections  of 
Doddridge,  as  to  induce  him  to  say,  "  I  hope 
this  young  friend  will  be  the  guardian  of  my  wid- 
ow and  orphans,  should  1  be  called  away  by 
death." 

As  there  was  a  vast  diversity  of  character 
among  the  students,  the  reader  is  prepared  to 
hear  that  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  took  into 
his  bosom  those  whose  personal  religion  after- 
wards rendered  them  eminent  among  the  faithful 
preachers  of  the  gospel.  Mr.  Fawcett,  who  be- 
came successor  to  Baxter,  at  Kidderminster,  said, 
when  preaching  Mr.  Darracott's  funeral  sermon, 
that  he  looked  back  on  their  friendship  formed 
at  Northampton,  and  cemented  by  two  and  twen- 
ty year's  continuance.  The  character  of  Mr. 
Pearsall,  of  Taunton,  another  of  his  early  friends, 
serves  also  to  mark  the  pious  turn  of  Mr.  Darra- 
cott's mind. 

If,  indeed,  Northampton  was  not  the  place  of 
his  new  and  better  birth,  it  was  while  he  was 


S4  MEMOIRS     01'      DARRACOTT. 

there,  pursuing  his  studies  for  the  ministry,  that 
his  religion  blazed  forth  with  that  seraphic  ar- 
dour which  distinguished  his  future  days.  To 
this  period  of  his  life  he  ever  after  looked  back 
with  peculiar  delight;  and,  when  on  the  verge  of 
eternity,  referring  to  it,  he  recommended  to  his 
children  the  service  of  that  Gad  whom  he  had 
served  upwards  of  twenty  years.  Whether  he 
conceived  that  his  religion  then  commenced,  or 
whether  he  thus  referred  to  that  era  of  his  exist- 
ence, because  his  devotedness  to  God  then  be- 
came more  decided,  and,  his  studies  drawing  to 
a  close,  he  began  to  serve  God  in  the  gospel  of 
his  Son,  cannot  now  be  ascertained. 

It  is,  however,  upon  the  whole,  probable,  that 
the  college  of  Northampton  was  young  Darracott's 
new  and  better  birth-place.  Well  might  he  look 
back  upon  that  scene  with  grateful  wonder  ;  for 
they  who  go  to  such  institutions  in  a  state  of 
nature,  are  likely  to  leave  them  despisers  of  the 
grace  of  God.  It  is  well,  when  the  religion, 
which  was  previously  possessed,  is  there  pre- 
served uninjured.  For  the  scriptures  have 
warned  us,  that  youth  are  in  danger  of  being 
lifted  up  by  admission  into  the  office  of  the 
ministry,  and  thus  falling  into  the  snare  of  the 
devil ;  while  it  is  obvious,  that  classical  studies,  as 
well  as  constant  intercourse  with  others  who  are 
in  the  high  day  of  life,  and  the  full  flow  of  spirits, 
may  lower  the  serious  devotional  tone  of  the  mind. 
Happily,  however,  Risdon  Darracott,  instead  of 
losing  any  portion  of  the   religion  he   formerly 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  35 

had,  found  at  Northampton,  that  which  he  before 
had  not :  so  that  instead  of  coming  forth  to  teach 
a  system  of  heathen  ethics,  or  to  preach  a  gospel 
of  which  he  had  no  experience;  he  entered  upon 
the  exercise  of  his  ministry,  with  all  the  sim- 
plicity of  youthful  feelings,  and  all  the  zeal,  in- 
spired by  mercy  recently  received. 

From  this  time,  his  heart  declined  every 
other  distinction  but  that  (which  is  indeed 
the  loftiest)  of  being  the  devoted  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ.  He  now  formed  some  of  those  friend- 
ships with  pious  and  distinguished  persons  be- 
yond the  pale  of  his  own  communion,  which 
were  the  honour  and  delight  of  his  future 
days. 

While  a  student,  he  became  the  friend  of 
Hervey,  the  author  of  the  "Contemplations," 
and  of  "  Theoron  and  Aspasio,"  a  work,  which, 
with  all  the  faults  imputed  to  it,  has  been  honoured 
with  extensive  usefulness.  The  letters  of  Mr. 
Darracott  to  this  young  friend  cannot  be  laid 
before  the  reader,  as  they  were  left  in  the  hands 
to  which  they  were  sent ;  but  those  of  Hervey 
sufficiently  indicate  the  devotional  strain  of  the 
correspondence,  which  the  following  specimen 
will  testify.  It  was  written  in  answer  to  a  letter 
consulting  him  on  the  formation  of  a  religious 
society  among  the  students. 

"  Dear  Sir, 
"  I  return   you   my   heartiest   thanks   for  your 
kind  present,  and  kind^^r  letter.     The  Lord  make 


36  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

them  as  beneficial  as  they  were  acceptable  unto 
me  !  You  tell  me,  my  example  has  had  a  great 
and  good  influence  upon  you.  Strange  and  glad 
tidings  !  Amen  !  Hallelujah  !  Sure  the  principa- 
lities and  powers  in  heavenly  places  will  be  filled 
with  wonder  and  pleasing  amazement ;  will  tune 
their  highest  and  most  triumphant  strings,  when 
they  behold  their  immortal  King  vouchsafing  to 
work,  to  carry  on  the  cause  of  his  Christ,  by  an 
unclean  and  sinful  worm  ! 

"  This  cool  morning,  I  took  a  walk,  with  a  de- 
sign to  consider  the  scheme  which  you  are  going 
to  set  on  foot.  My  thoughts  were  all  along  at- 
tended with  abasement  and  admiration,  to  per- 
ceive you  having  recourse  and  consulting  me, 
when  you  daily  converse  with  gentlemen  who  are 
far  my  superiors  in  wisdom  and  knowledge  :  but, 
especially,  since  you  have  the  happiness  of  living 
under  the  same  roof  with  the  judicious  and  de- 
vout doctor.  Yet,  sir,  I  fear  I  am  one  of  those 
who,  as  the  inspired  apostle  says,  *'  are  blind  and 
cannot  see  far  oflf."  Nevertheless,  since  you 
press  for  my  opinion,  for  the  all-commanding 
sake  of  our  Redeemer,  I  cannot,  I  dare  not, 
withhold  it. 

"  I  think  then  your  proposal,  as  far  as  I  can 
see  into  it,  is  very  proper  ;  and  if  discreetly  man- 
aged, and  steadily  persisted  in,  cannot  fail  of 
being  advantageous  to  yourself  and  others.  "It 
is  not  good  that  Man  should  be  alone,"  said  the 
Divine  Beneficence  at  the  beginning.  And  if 
company  was  a  blessing,  if  it  was  requisite  and 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  37 

necessary  to  complete  man's  happiness  in  Para- 
dise j  sure  it  is  much  more  a  blessing,  much 
more  requisite  and  necessary  to  complete  his 
holiness  in  a  degenerate  and  corrupt  state.  This 
seems  to  be  evident  for  several  reasons  ;  four  of 
which  at  present  occur  to  my  mind. 

"  1.  Because  we  are  ignorant  and  short-sight- 
ed, oftentimes  uAable  to  distinguish  good  from 
evil,  or  to  discern  the  things  that  are  excellent. 
But  God  is  pleased  to  reveal  to  one  what  is  con- 
cealed from  another.  So  that  in  a  multitude  of 
counsellors  there  is  wisdom. 

"  2.  Because  we  are  lovers  and  admirers  of 
ourselves,  unwilling  to  see  our  own  errors,  and 
therefore  unlikely  to  amend  them.  Whereas  our 
friends  will,  with  a  meek  but  impartial  spirit, 
show  us  our  faults.  As  a  looking-glass  that  will 
not  lie,  they  will  fairly  set  before  us  all  our 
blemishes.  And  may  we  not  say  with  the  wise 
man,  ''  In  such  faithful  witnesses  there  is  health." 
May  I  evermore  have  such  friends,  and  I  will 
value  them  more  than  a  brother  ! 

"  3.  Because  we  are  weak  and  irresolute ; 
easily  shaken  from  the  most  laudable  purposes, 
and  apt  to  let  go  our  integrity  upon  any  opposi- 
tion. But  a  band  of  friends  who  are  like-mind- 
ed, inspires  us  with  courage  and  constancy.  If 
we  have  seconds  and  associates  in  our  warfare, 
we  are  much  more  emboldened  to  persevere  in 
fighting  the  good  fight.  "A  threefold  cord  is 
not  quickly  broken." 

"  4.  Because  we  are  slothful  and  lukewarm  in 
4 


38  MEMOIRS    OF    DA.RRACOTT. 

religious  duties,  of  a  Laodicean  temper,  and  apt 
like  Gallio,  "  to  care  for  no  such  things."  But 
a  holy  fellowship  will  kindle  and  keep  alive  a 
holy  fervour.  As  coals  united  and  laid  together 
burn  and  glow,  but  separate  and  single  soon 
lose  both  their  light  and  heat.  How  often  have 
I  gone  into  the  company  of  my  dear  friends,  list- 
less and  spiritless,  like  one  whose  nerves  were  all 
unstrung  ;  yet  when  Icame  home,  I  have  found 
myself  quite  another  person  ;  vigorous  and  ac- 
tive, sanguine  and  "  zealously  affected  in  good 
matters."  This,  no  doubt,  was  the  Lord's  doing, 
and  "  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes." 

This,  therefore,  shows  how  mightily  the 
Supreme  Being  is  pleased  with,  and  how  sig- 
nally he  blesses  such  assembling  of  ourselves 
together,  which  is  another,  and  perhaps  the  best 
argument  for  executing  the  project  you  are 
debating  upon.  Methinks  it  is  also  an  excellent 
means  of  enlarging  our  affections.  We  are  prone, 
very  prone  to  be  straightened  and  contracted  in 
our  bowels.  And  I  believe,  a  continual  inter- 
change of  friendly  actions,  and  affectionate  dis- 
courses, (which  are  necessary  to  keep  up  the 
society  you  mention,)  is  one  of  the  best  ways  to 
strip  ourselves  of  all  ungenerous  and  unchristian 
selfishness  ;  one  of  the  best  ways  of  learning  to 
"  love  as  brethren,  and  to  be  dear  unto  one  ano- 
ther as  our  own  souls." 

"  But  I  must  have  done,  I  find  myself  running 
beyond  the  bounds  of  an  epistle  ;  nay,  have  I  not 
tired  your  patience  already  ?    I  only  beg  of  you 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  39 

to  excuse  my  weakness  and  want  of  judgment, 
I  hope  you  will  not  expose  this  to  my  prejudice, 
but  hide  and  draw  a  veil  over  what  I  have  writ- 
ten in  meekness  and  fear.  Pray  let  me  know  the 
issue  of  your  deliberations.  How  glad  should  1 
be  to  hear,  that  when  you  come  together  to 
advance  the  life  and  power  of  religion,  you  re- 
member and  pray  for 

"  Your  obliged  friend,  and  humble  servant, 
"  J.  Hervey." 
"  Hardingstone,  June  3,  1736." 

This  correspondence  was  equally  honourable 
to  both  parties.  It  was  to  the  praise  of  the 
student,  that  he  was  projecting  pious  schemes 
with  ardent  zeal,  and  consulting  his  seniors  with 
profound  humility.  A  humble  zeal  may  be 
expected  to  last,  like  Darracott's,  to  the  close  of 
life  ;  but  the  ardour  which  disdains  counsel,  will 
prove  like  the  momentary  flash  of  gunpowder. 
To  Hervey,  it  was  highly  honourable  that  he 
condescended  to  hold  the  correspondence  of 
friendship  with  the  youth,  who  was  just  learning 
to  serve  God,  in  the  Gospel  of  his  dear  Son. 
Such  kind  attentions,  may  not  only  encourage  a 
modest  youth,  but  may  through  him,  prove  a 
blessing  to  thousands  ;  for,  nineteen  years  after, 
Mr.  Darracott  sent  Mr.  Hervey's  letter  to  a 
Christian  friend,  accompanied  with  the  following 
remarks. 

"  This  is  the  first  letter  I  received,  as  I  re- 
member, from  Mr.  Hervey.     A  little  before  this, 


40  MEMOIRS     OF    DIRRACOTT. 

I  had  an  interview  with  him  at  a  good  man's 
house,  who  belonged  to  the  Doctor's  church,  and 
lived  in  the  parish.  Mr.  Hervey's  father  lived 
about  two  miles  from  Northampton.  Though  it  is 
now  almost  nineteen  years  ago,  I  retain  a  de- 
lightful impression  of  our  converse  then.  I  was 
at  this  time  forming  a  religious  society  in  North- 
ampton, which  I  communicated  in  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Hervey  :  this  is  his  answer,  and  contains  a 
few  cogent  arguments  to  recommend  it.  I  bless 
God  I  then  began  to  taste  the  pleasure  David 
speaks  of,  when  he  says,  "  we  took  sweet  coun- 
sel together,"  and  must  bear  it  upon  record  that 
some  of  the  most  delightful  hours  of  my  life 
have  been  those  spent  in  social  exercises.  I  am 
glad  you  have  formed  yourselves  together  to  this 
purpose,  and  send  you  this  to  encourage  you 
herein,  and  may  every  time  you  meet  furnish 
you  with  the  best  arguments,  even  your  own 
experience  of  the  comfort  and  advantage  of  it. 

"  RisDON  Darracott." 

"  Remember  me  kindly  to  every  member  of 
your  society,  my  heart  is  with  you,  my  prayers 
for  you,  may  you  increase,  both  in  number  and 
grace,  and  be  of  one  heart  and  one  soul." 

Burning  to  enter  upon  the  delightful  work  of 
preaching  Christ,  Mr.  Darracott  commenced  his 
labours  in  a  village  near  Northampton.  Here 
the  barbarous  spirit  of  persecution  which  formerly 
so  disgraced  our  country,  and  now  occasionally 
bursts  forth  from  the  cold  formal  pretenders  to 
pharasaic  righteousness,  as  flames  from  the  snow« 


MEMOIRS  OF    DARRACOTT.  41 

clad  crater  of  a  volcano  scarcely  yet  extinguished, 
gave  our  young  evangelist  a  specimen  of  the 
trials  which  he  was  about  to  endure.  The  house 
in  which  he  was  preaching  w^as  beset  by  the 
Village  mob,  with  imprecations  demanding  the 
preacher,  in  hopes  of  being  gratified  by  wreaking 
their  vengeance  on  the  disturber  of  their  fatal 
peace.  His  hearers,  however,  befriended  him, 
and  while  the  rioters  were  breaking  in  on  one 
side  of  the  house,  they  handed  him  through  a 
window  on  the  other ;  thus  he  escaped,  like  Paul 
let  down  in  a  basket  from  the  wall  of  Damascus. 

On  application  to  the  magistrates,  who  were 
then  sitting  in  the  neighbourhood,  he  found  that 
instead  of  affording  redress  and  protection,  they 
were  disposed  only  to  gratify  their  own  prejudices 
and  bigotry,  in  defiance  of  the  laws  which  they 
had  sworn  to  execute,  and  to  the  hazard  of  the 
public  peace  which  they  were  appointed  to  pre- 
serve. By  this  and  some  other  circumstances,  it 
appeared  that  the  mob  was  encouraged  by  those 
whose  education  should  have  elevated  them  above 
vulgar  prejudice,  if  their  religion  had  not  purified 
them  from  selfish  and  malignant  passions.  It  is, 
however,  pleasing  to  reflect,  that  while  the 
superior  zeal  of  Christians  in  the  present  day 
more  frequently  provokes  the  spirit  of  prosecu- 
tion, these  disgusting  ebulitions  of  barbarism 
now  excite  horror  by  their  rarity,  as  well  as  by 
their  atrocity. 

To  their  gothic  bigotry,  young  Darracott'i5 
philanthropic  zeal  furnished  a  fine  contrast.  It 
4* 


42  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

is  delightful  to  behold  in  one  that  enters  on  the 
ministry,  a  soul  all  on  fire  ;  for  many  are  the  cir- 
cumstances which  conspire  to  quench  the  sacred 
flame,  as  we  advance  in  life.  Some  few,  indeed, 
enjoy  the  rare  felicity  of  acquiring  in  advancing 
years  more  than  the  fires  of  youth  ;  but  the  ma- 
jority of  christians,  as  they  increase  in  wisdom 
and  experience,  abate  somewhat  of  their  youth- 
ful fervours.  What  a  chilling  sight,  then,  is  a 
young  minister  without  zeal ;  for  what  frosts  may 
we  expect  in  the  wintry  age  ? 

Mr.  Darracott  being,  from  this  time,  frequently 
employed  in  preaching,  received  the  following 
licence,  or  testimony,  from  his  tutor  and  two 
other  ministers. 

August  22,  1737. 
"  We,  whose  hands  are  hereunto  subscribed, 
do  certify  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  having 
examined  Mr.  Risdon  Darracott  concerning  his 
proficiency  in  his  studies,  and  being  suflSciently 
assured  of  his  unblamable  conversation,  judge 
him  to  be  well  qualified  to  enter  upon  the  office 
of  preaching  ;  and  do  advise  and  encourage  him 
to  do  so,  recommending  him  to  the  divine  bless- 
ing, and  to  the  due  regard  of  all  Christian  so- 
cieties that  need  and  desire  his  assistance.  Wit- 
ness our  Hands. 

"  J.  Norris. 

"  T.  Cartwright. 

«  P.  Doddridge,  D.  D." 

Such  testimonials  were  formerly  stamped  with 
higher  authority  than  is  now  attached  to  them  by 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRICOTT.  43 

dissenters.  They  may  be  abused,  but  they  are 
also  calculated  to  answer  a  most  valuable  end. 
If  stern  authority  formerly  checked  the  liberty  of 
prophesying,  the  neglect  of  due  recommendation 
now  exposes  the  churches  to  the  intrusion  of 
adventurers,  without  character,  and  without  prin- 
ciple. 

From  the  academy,  Mr.  Darracott  removed  to 
Chumleigh,  in  the  summer  of  the  year  173B, 
when  he  had  just  passed  his  majority.  His  father 
being  now  dead,  and  the  church  still  destitute  of 
a  pastor,  he  went,  not  merely  to  visit  his  friends 
and  wander  over  the  scenes  endeared  by  early 
association,  but  to  enter  upon  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  of  which  he  never  for  a  moment  lost 
sight.  This  must  have  been  a  sphere  peculiarly 
interesting  to  him.  Standing  over  his  father's 
ashes,  and  leading  the  devotions  of  that  church 
with  which  he  had  first  learned  to  join  in  the 
worship  of  God,  he  laboured  with  much  appro- 
bation, and  not  without  some  effect.  But  as  the 
congregation  was  divided  in  its  choice  between 
him  and  another  young  minister,  he  determined 
to  relinquish  the  advantages  he  possessed,  and 
retiring,  sought  another  field  of  usefulness.  In 
this  he  affords  a  salutary  lesson  to  those  who  are 
entering  on  the  pastoral  care. 

That  the  numbers  who  compose  a  Christian 
church,  with  all  their  diversity  of  ages,  habits, 
and  tastes,  should  frequently  preclude  the  hope 
of  perfect  unanimity  in  the  choice  of  a  pastor, 
may  be   readily  conceived.     But  where   the  mi- 


44  MEMOIRS    or    DARRACOTT^ 

nority  is  considerable,  either   in  numbers,  or  in 
weight    and    worth,    a    young    man  who  comes 
fresh  and  immature  from  a  seminary,  should  not 
feel  surprised  or  wounded  ;  nor  should  he  by  any 
means    conceive  it  due  to  his  character  and  the 
solicitations  of  his  admirers,  to  risk  the  peace  of 
a    church,  by    struggling    to  maintain  his    post. 
The    church's    separation    ought  to  wound  him 
much    more    than    his     own   rejection.     These 
divisions  are  sometimes,  indeed,  productive  of  the 
happiest  consequences   in  the  increase  of  places 
for  the  preaching   of  the  gospel,  and  in  the  con- 
sequent increase  of  hearers  ;  but  they  frequently 
kindle   passions   so  guilty  in   the    sight  of  God, 
and    so    dishonourable    in  the  eyes  of  the  world 
that  Christians   should  study    to  obtain   the  good 
without  the  evil.     And    when  a  young  minister 
humbly  follows  where  the  Redeemer  leads,  seek- 
ing a  field  of  acceptance  and  usefulness,  without 
strife  or   division,  his    tenderness   to  the    sacred 
body  of  Christ  will  usually  be  rewarded  by  that 
success  which  should,  above  every  other  conside- 
ration,   be    dear   to  his    heart.      Such    was   the 
recompence  of  Risdon   Darracott,  who  removed 
from  Chumleigh  to  Penzance,  in  Cornwall. 

The  spirit  with  which  he  retired  from  a  scene 
endeared  to  him  by  his  paternal  roof  and  the  ash- 
es of  a  beloved  father,  will  be  seen  in  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  his  friend  Pearsall. 


MEMOItlS    OF    DARRACOTT^  45 

"  Penzance,  JVov.  2,  1738. 
"  My  dear  friend, 

"  Since  I  received  your  kind  and  affectionate 
letter,  I  am  removed,  to  a  very  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  place  where  I  then  was.  I  hope 
a  good  Providence  has  made  the  remove.  The 
meeting  t  then  presided  at,  divided  about  me 
and  another  young  minister  ;  an  invitation  being 
sent  me  just  then  by  the  people  where  I  now 
am,  I  thought  proper  to  accept  it,  on  purpose  to 
withdraw  from  those  who  unhappily  divided.  I 
am,  I  think  now,  as  to  the  place,  in  the  most 
agreeable  situation  I  ever  saw.  It  lies  close  to 
the  sea-side,  and  commands  a  very  large  pros- 
pect ;  it  has  abundant  pleasant  walks  ;  the  town 
throughout  is  very  rich  and  populous.  The  meet- 
ing is  but  small,  but  the  people  are  very  sub- 
stantial ;  and,  what  to  me  is  mostly  valuable,  they 
are  very  affectionate  and  truly  religious.  If  I  do 
not  settle  with  them,  which  at  present  I  am  a 
little  doubtful  of,  it  is  owing  to  the  distance  it  is 
from  my  estate  and  relations  ;  however,  may  that 
God  who  has  hitherto  led  and  guided  me,  direct 
my  mind  and  overrule  my  thoughts  in  subser- 
viency to  his  glory.  I  hope  that,  and  that  only, 
will  be  the  end  I  shall  always  in  life  propose. 
O  that  I  may  live  to  God,  that  when  I  die,  I  may 
die  with  the  pleasing  hope  of  living  for  ever  with 
him  ! 

I  have  heard  lately  some  melancholy  accounts 
about  the  acadertr/  ;  I  know  not  how  true  they 
are.     I  am  really  most  truly  concerned  for  its 


i»  I 


46  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

welfare,  and  would  desire  you  would  give  a  little 
account  how  things  are  with  you.  May  God  be 
abundantly  better  than  my  fears,  and  exceed  my 
fondest  hopes  concerning  it !  I  find  the  work  of 
composition  much  easier,  and  can  make  two 
sermons  a  week  with  pleasure  :  but  ah  !  I  find  it 
still  hard  to  keep  up  the  spirit  of  religion  in  my 
heart,  and  to  go  through  my  work  with  a  be- 
coming temper  :  I  am  too  apt  to  grow  cold  and 
lose  my  spiritual  unction.  O  that  the  divine 
Spirit  may  breathe  upon  me  and  give  me  life  ! 
I  earnestly  desire  a  continuance  in  your  prayers, 
and  do  assure  you,  you  shall  always  in  mine  be 
affectionately  remembered.  The  good  God  be 
with  you  and  bless  you,  build  you  up  in  all 
valuable  learning  and  true  religion,  and  make 
you  eminently  useful  in  your  day  and  generation  ! 

"  Please  to  write  me  when  at  leisure,  and 
direct  for  me  at  Mr.  Enty's,  in  Penzance,  Corn- 
wall. Give  the  same  direction  to  Mr.  Merivale. 
My  respects  to  those  of  the  gentlemen  who  may 
ask  for  me.     I  am,  my  dear  friend, 

"  With  a  great  deal  of  respect,  yours, 

"  Risdon  Darracott." 

His  acceptance  and  success  at  Penzance  left 
him  no  reason  to  regret  his  former  scene  of 
labour.  "  The  Spirit  of  God,"  he  said  to  a  friend, 
"  is  usefully  moving  upon  the  hearts  of  men 
here  ;  through  my  preaching,  several  are  awaken- 
ed, and  setting  their  faces  towards  Zion  ;  some 
very  vicious  and  debauched  characters  are  re- 
formed,  the  young  men  show  great  seriousness., 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  47 

and  I  have  great  hope  of  several  of  them ;  and 
what  makes  all  this  the  more  remarkable  is,  that 
there  was  a  strange  lukewarmness  among  pro- 
fessors themselves  when  I  came  hither ;  the 
church  seemed  to  have  a  name  that  it  lived  but 
was  dead.  The  people  so  much  love  me,  and  I 
find  myself  so  affectionately  concerned  for  them, 
that  I  believe  I  shall  settle  with  them  ;  though  I 
shall  not  determine,  till  I  go  up  into  Devonshire, 
which  will  be  about  a  fortnight  hence.  Some 
of  my  friends  do  not  think  it  convenient  to  fix 
with  them,  as  the  congregation  is  but  small,  and 
the  interest  of  the  dissenters  weak  through  the 
whole  country ;  but  yet,  is  the  day  of  small 
things  to  be  despised  ?  Could  I  get  such  a  friend 
as  you  near  me,  it  would  determine  me  at  once, 
but  the  ministers  throughout  the  country,  it 
must  be  acknowledged  are  poor  preachers,  and 
the  interest  sinks  in  their  hands.  I  am  sorry  at 
the  account  you  give  of  yourself  about  fixing,  as 
I  fear  I  must  ever  despair  of  being  near  you. 
The  London  ministers  too  well  know  their 
interest  in  the  city  to  let  you  come  down  into  the 
country.  I  have  sent  you  two  little  books,  "  Dr. 
Watts  on  the  Strength  and  Weakness  of  Human 
Reason,"  and  his  "  Redeemer  and  Sanctifier,"  as 
an  instance  of  my  kind  regard  for  you.  I  beg  I 
may  have  a  letter  from  you  when  you  have 
received  them.  I  send  them  by  a  private  hand, 
but  hope  they  will  come  safe.  I  much  approve 
of  your  leaving  the  Saturday  night  society  ;  I 
saw  the  inconvenience  of  it  myself  before  I  left 


48  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

the  country  ;  though  I  have  received  very  great 
advantages  from  it,  and  rejoice  that  I  set  it  up  ; 
still  as  the  mixed  company  was  found  a  fault,  you 
did  well  to  separate." 

The  prosperity  which  attended  Mr.  Darracott's 
ministry  at  Penzance  was  greatly  promoted  by 
private  means,  which  are  of  far  greater  importance 
than  many  seem  to  imagine.  That  pastoral  visits 
and  social  meetings  for  private  devotions,  ought 
not  to  preclude  opportunities  for  study,  nor  in- 
duce a  habit  of  desultory  preaching,  is  readily 
admitted  ;  for  this  would  be  sacrificing  the  pri- 
mary means  of  usefulness  to  the  secondary.  But 
after  employing  in  the  study  as  much  time  as  is 
consistent  with  the  preservation  of  health,  and 
essential  to  the  mental  improvement  which  good 
preaching  requires,  suflicient  leisure  will  still  be 
left  for  abundant  pastoral  attentions,  without 
which  the  flock  will  never  prosper.  *'  I  am  de- 
termined," says  Mr.  Darracott,  "  to  set  up  a 
religious  society  here  ;  I  have  spoken  of  it  from 
the  pulpit,  and  it  seems  well  relished  ;  I  shall 
preach  some  whole  sermons  upon  it,  to  encourage 
and  direct  in  it." 

"  I  have  again  increased  my  labours,  and  I  do 
assure  you  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure,  to 
preaching  three  times  on  the  sabbath.  I  have 
added  a  private  lecture  to  some  young  men  in 
my  own  room  every  Friday  evening,  and  a  pub- 
lic lecture  every  Wednesday  ;  in  both  which, 
God  does  seem  already  to  give  me  great  encour- 
agement.    I  make  it  my  constant  delightful  bu- 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  49 

siness  to  visit  the  -people  from  house  to  house,  by 
which  I  inform  myself  how  religion  is  regarded  by 
them,  being  led  to  suit  my  public  discourses  more 
advantageously.  Several  seem  to  be  uqder  con- 
victions, which  I  hope  will  end  in  true  conver- 
sion. I  bless  God,  as  to  my  health,  I  never  was 
better  ;  I  seem  to  renew  my  strength  as  I  renew 
my  labours.  I  meet  with  some  particular  temp- 
tations.     O  pray  for  me  ! 

"  I  had  lately  a  very  large  and  kind  letter 
from  the  Doctor;  I  am,  indeed,  delightfully 
pleased  with  the  account  he  gives  of  things 
thereabouts.  Mr.  Whitefield,  I  find,  has  been 
there.  I  have  written  a  letter  to  that  good  man, 
to  desire  him  to  come  down  into  Cornwall,  but  I 
fear  his  going  so  soon  to  Georgia  will  prevent 
him.  I  therefore  desired  the  Doctor  to  write  to 
Mr.  Morgan  to  come  down,  or  get  some  person 
of  the  like  holy  fire  :  do  you,  my  dear  friend, 
exert  your  utmost  influence  with  Mr.  Morgan. 
This  country  is  sadly  ignorant,  and  deserves  as 
much  compassion  as  Wales  can  do.  I  am  daily 
seeing  how  teachable  a  disposition  they  are  of, 
and  how  greatly  they  thirst  after  the  gospel,  and 
it  is  a  pity  they  should  perish  in  such  multitudes 
for  want  of  it.  Here  are,  indeed,  many  clergy- 
men, but  they  are  sadly  negligent  of  their 
fiocks." 

In  another  letter  he  says,  "  I  am  going  to  visit 
every  person  in  my  congregation,  and  talk  with 
them.     Pray  for  me." 

While  he  was  thus  labouring  with  ardour  and 
5 


(SlO  *  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

success,  he  was  seized  with  an  alarming  disorder, 
in  the  year  1738.  In  the  February  of  that  year, 
he  wrote  an  account  of  his  illness,  not,  as  afflict- 
ing him  by  threatening  his  life,  but  as  disappoint- 
ing him  when  indulging  the  hope  of  more  abun- 
dant labours  and  success.  A  few  weeks  after, 
he  gave  to  a  friend  a  detail  of  "  the  conversion  of 
another  soul,"  in  a  style  which  expressed  a  deep 
sense  of  the  Redeemer's  declaration,  that  one 
soul  outweighs  a  world.  Under  this  impression, 
he  endeavoured  to  console  himself,  and  compen- 
sate his  flock  for  the  abridgment  of  his  public  la- 
bours, by  increased  attention  to  all  private  means 
of  usefulness.  But  the  debility  of  which  he  com- 
plained, so  rapidly  increased,  and  was  accompa- 
nied with  spitting  of  blood  to  a  degree  so  alarm- 
ing, that  he  was  thought  to  be  far  advanced  in  a 
consumption. 

As  a  change  of  air  was  deemed  requisite,  he 
removed  to  Barnstaple,  in  Devonshire,  where  he 
had  many  friends.  Here  he  spent  the  former 
half  of  the  year  1739.  He  could  not  preach 
as  usual,  but  endeavoured  to  employ  himself  by 
embracing  such  means  of  usefulness  as  still  lay 
within  his  reach,  and  particularly  by  correspond- 
ing with  his  pious  friends.  Whitefield  and  Wes- 
ley were  among  the  number,  and  he  mentions 
the  promise  of  the  former  to  come  and  supply 
his  lack  of  service  in  the  West  of  England.  As 
he  began  to  recover,  after  leaving  Penzance,  it 
was  thought  the  air  of  that  place  would  not 
agree  with  him,  which  induced  him  to  look  out 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  51 

for  a  new  field  of  labour.  The  presbyterian 
congregation  at  Wellington,  in  Somersetshire, 
being  destitute  of  a  pastor,  and  having  heard  of 
his  situation  and  character,  were,  happily  for 
them,  induced  to  give  him  an  invitation,  which  led 
to  his  permanent  settlement  and  distinguished 
success. 

With  pleasure  we  see,  that  no  inferior  motives 
but  that  the  hand  of  God  removed  him  from  a  field 
of  labour  which  promised  so  abundant  a  harvest. 
For  the  consideration  which  some  urged,  that 
Penzance  was  at  a  great  distance  from  his 
relations  and  estate,  was  unworthy  of  a  minister 
of  Christ.  Every  genuine  minister  enters  upon 
the  work  voluntarily ;  but  when  he  has  put  his 
hand  to  the  plough,  he  ie  forbidden  to  look  back 
upon  friends  and  estates,  and  pleasant  residences, 
on  pain  of  being  pronounced  unfit  for  the  king- 
dom of  God.  Wo  to  the  minister  who  is  not 
guided  by  his  master's  interest  as  his  polar  star ! 
The  most  paradisaic  spot  is  blasted  by  the  Sav- 
iour's frowns,  and  the  loveliest  circle  of  friendship 
may  soon  be  converted  into  the  haunt  of  discord 
and  the  furies.  But,  ''  as  he  that  loveth  his  life 
immoderately  shall  lose  it ;  while  he  that  sacrific- 
eth  it  for  Christ's  sake  shall  keep  it  to  life  eternal ;" 
Risdon  Darracott,  who  was  contented  to  serve 
Christ  far  from  friends,  was,  by  the  kindly  afflic- 
tive hand  of  the  Saviour,  sent  back  to  enjoy  his 
friends  with  new  relish,  and  pursue  his  ministry 
with  increased  success. 


52  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FROM    MR.   DARRACOTT's    SETTLEMENT   AT     WELLING- 
TON TO   HIS   LAST   ILLNESS. 

After  having  preached  occasionally  at  Wel- 
lington for  some  time,  Mr.  Darracott  went  to 
reside  there,  early  in  the  year  1741.  This  town, 
which  contained  but  a  few  thousand  inhabitants, 
would  be  deemed  by  many  too  narrow  a  field  for 
such  a  labourer.  But  he  who  deserved  a  nobler 
sphere  had  a  heart  to  create  one.  If  the  town 
was  not  large,  the  congregation  to  which  he  was 
invited  to  preach,  formed  but  a  very  small  pro- 
portion of  its  inhabitants.  The  members  of  the 
church  amounted  to  no  more  than  twenty-eight ; 
though  their  former  pastor,  Mr.  Berry,  who  died 
at  an  advanced  age,  had  the  reputation  of  a  very 
excellent  man.  Perhaps  his  ministry  had  been 
protracted,  as  that  of  some  valuable  men  has  un- 
happily been,  beyond  the  period  of  mental  or 
physical  vigour,  and  thus  had  contributed  at  last 
to  the  diminution  rather  than  the  increase  of  his 
flock. 

It  is  deeply  to  be  deplored,  that  this  should 
often  arise  from  the  want  of  provision  among 
dissenters  for  those  who  are  worn  out  in  the 
service  of  the  church.  What  language  but  that 
of  Pericles,  which  left  stings  in  the  minds  of  his 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  53 

hearers,  should  be  employed,  when  expressing 
the  astonishment  and  shame  produced  by  the  re- 
flection, that  thousands  of  churches  should  have 
existed  for  a  century  and  a  half,  possessed  of 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  pounds,  and  never 
established  a  fund  to  support  ministers  whose  age 
renders  them  incompetent  to  the  work.  May  the 
spirit  of  christian  benevolence  soon  wipe  away 
from  us  this  reproach  ! 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Berry,  far  from  lingering 
on  the  verge  of  the  field,  contenting  himself  with 
looking  about  and  intending  to  labour,  instantly 
devised  modes  of  usefulness  new  to  his  flock,  and 
entered  upon  his  work  with  a  spirit  which  excit- 
ed equal  pleasure  and  surprise.  His  fame  soon 
spread,  and  curiosity  drew  from  the  surrounding 
country  crowds  of  strangers.  Whether  the  pres- 
sure of  the  crowd  offended  those  who  loved  to 
be  at  ease  in  Zion,  or  his  preaching  proved  too 
faithful  for  those  who  said  "  prophecy  to  us 
smooth  things,"  or  from  what  other  cause  it 
originated,  it  is  not  now  certain  ;  but  some  of  the 
trustees  of  the  meeting-house  became  his  avowed 
enemies.  Withdrawing  from  his  ministry,  they 
locked  up  their  pews,  which  the  eagerness  of  the 
hearers  who  were  standing  in  the  aisles  frequently 
burst  open.  The  opposition,  however,  gradually 
died  away,  and  left  him  without  an  enemy,  where 
he  certainly  deserved  none. 

Thus  encouraged,  he  determined  to  accept  the 
call  of  the  church  to  the  pastoral  charge.  On 
the  eleventh  of  November,  1741,  he  was  ordained 


64  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

by  twelve  ministers,  among  whom  no  other  names 
are  now  known,  but  those  of  Mr.  Moon,  of 
Bridgwater  ;  Mr.  Stodden,  of  Taunton ;  Mr.  Palk, 
of  South  Molton  ;  Mr.  Westcott,  of  Tiverton;  and 
Mr.  Chorley,  of  Uffculm.  What  part  of  the 
service  each  one  took,  is  not  known.  Mr. 
Darracott's  confession  of  faith  was  brief;  as  he 
wisely  abstained  from  the  vain  attempt  to  adduce 
the  proofs  of  the  doctrines  which  he  avowed  as 
his  creed.  To  the  question  proposed,  "  What 
are  your  ends  for  taking  upon  you  the  work  of 
the  ministry  ?"  he  replied,  "  If  I  know  any  thing 
of  my  own  heart,  I  think  I  may  say  with  the  great- 
est certainty,  I  have  no  end  of  life  but  to  serve  God, 
and  no  pleasure  like  it.  And  especially  in  enter- 
ing the  ministry,  I  know  no  other  motive  but  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  May  I 
promote  this,  and  I  have  all  my  desire  !" 

On  the  evening  of  this  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  he  wrote  the  following  reflections. — 
"Nov.  11,  1741,  in  the  evening  of  my  ordina- 
tion. This  has  been  a  solemn  and  delightful 
day.  I  have  now  put  my  hand  to  the  gospel 
plough,  with  a  desire  never  to  look  back.  I  have 
now  publicly  devoted  myself  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  I  heartily  rejoice  in  what  I  have 
done.  May  I  never  defile  the  sacred  office  ! 
May  I  never  prove  a  dishonour  to  my  Lord  and 
Master  !  May  I  not  be  a  loiterer,  but  a  labourer 
in  his  work !  and  may  my  labours  be  crowned 
with  abundant  success  !  Hitherto  I  have  found 
it  to   be  delightful  work,    nor  have  I  altogether 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  65 

laboured  in  vain.  I  can  never  be  enough  thank- 
ful for  what  T  have  seen,  and  do  still  see,  of  a 
divine  blessing  upon  my  poor  labours,  while  I 
would  be  encouraged  hereby,  to  hope  and  pray 
for  greater  success.  Grant  this,  dear  Lord,  to 
thy  unworthy  servant,  and  thou  wilt  herein 
gratify  his  warmest  wishes  and  his  highest  ambi- 
tion.    Amen  and  Amen." 

Similar  reflections  he  recorded  on  the  evening 
of  the  first  Sabbath  on  which  he  administered  the 
Lord's  supper.  "Dec.  4,  1741.  This  day  I 
have  been  administering  the  sacrament  for  the 
first  time  ;  and  a  most  delightful  season  it  has 
been  to  my  soul.  I  cannot  forbear  saying  on  this 
occasion.  Lord  !  who  and  what  am  I  that  thou 
shouldest  bring  me  hitherto  !  Four  were  this 
day  admitted,  three  of  whom  date  their  saving 
impressions  under  my  poor  ministry  since  I  have 
been  here.  How  does  my  heart  rejoice  herein, 
and  all  that  is  within  me  bless  and  magnify  God! 
Six  more  were  also  proposed,  whose  hearts  I 
hope  divine  grace  has  laid  hold  of  O  what  has 
God  done  by  a  poor  worm  already  !  There  is  a 
visible  change  upon  the  face  of  the  congregation, 
which  is  at  once  pleasing  and  hopeful  to  me.  I 
trust,  indeed,  that  God  has  much  work  to  do  by 
me  here,  and  that  he  has  much  people  in  this 
place  to  gather  in.  Whatever  he  has  done, 
whatever  he  shall  do  by  my  poor  ministrations, 
this  be  now  and  ever  my  humble  song,  "  Not  un- 
to me,  O  Lord,  not  unto  me,  but  unto  thy  name 
alone  be  all  the  glory  and  all  the  praise.    Amen.'* 


56  MEMOIRS    OF    DA.RRACOTT. 

Such  reflections  were  auspicious  omens.  If 
God  has  promised  to  fulfil  the  desires  of  them 
that  fear  him,  it  could  not  be  doubted,  that  these 
aspirations  after  usefulness,  would  be  indulged 
with  a  gracious  answer.  Many  are  ambitious  to 
shine  in  the  public  assembly,  who  care  not  what 
appearance  thy  make  before  God  in  the  closet ; 
but,  where  religion  is  thus  distinguished  in  se- 
cret, it  will  not  fail  to  throw  a  glory  round  the 
pulpit.  But  what  hope  can  be  entertained  of 
that  man's  success,  who  treats  his  ordination  as  a 
ceremonious  exhibition,  who  enters  on  his  work 
with  no  holy  longings,  and  deposits  at  the  foot 
of  the  cross  no  solemn  prayers  ? 

Being  now  settled  in  his  pastoral  charge,  he 
determined  to  enter  into  the  married  state.  He 
had  seen  in  the  afflictions  of  his  father's  latter 
days,  reasons  for  serious  caution,  which  he  did 
not  neglect.  His  affections  had  been  for  some 
time  fixed  on  Miss  Katherine  Besley,  of  Barn- 
staple. This  lady  was,  like  himself,  a  descendant 
of  the  puritan  confessors,  who  founded  the  dis- 
senting churches.  Her  mother's  name  was 
Peard,  whose  ancestor,  Oliver  Peard,  is  mentioned 
with  honour  in  the  "  Nonconformist's  Memorial," 
as  minister  at  Barnstaple.  Miss  Besley's  fine 
person  was  inspired  with  such  a  mind  as 
Mr.  Darracott  deserved.  The  religion  of  the 
puritans,  in  whose  scriptural  principles  she  was 
well  instructed,  was  by  her  perpetuated    to  a 


MEMOIRS     OP    DARRACOTT.  67 

period  when  it  unhappily  began  to  be  despised  as 
antiquated. 

Their  marriage,  which  was  celebrated  in  the 
month  of  December,  1741,  was  a  happy  event  to 
them  both.  She  found  in  him  all  the  generous  ten- 
derness implied  in  the  sacred  name  of  husband  ; 
and  his  heart,  alike  unfitted  for  the  solitude  of  celi- 
bacy, and  the  contentions  of  an  inauspicious  mar- 
riage, found  in  her,  repose  from  the  fatigues  of  his 
ministry,  and  solace  under  the  afflictions  of  life. 
Her  health  was  not  vigorous,  but,  except  in  the 
times  when  her  illness  alarmed  his  fears,  she 
relieved  him  from  all  earthly  concerns,  for  which 
he  had  an  utter  aversion. 

When  he  entered  on  domestic  life,  and  reared 
an  altar  to  God  where  he  had  pitched  his  tent, 
he  penned  a  hymn,  which  will  excite,  indeed,  no 
high  idea  of  his  poetic  genius,  but  will  discover 
to  the  pious  reader  what  is  infinitely  more 
valuable,  a  spirit  of  devotion  animating  him  in 
every  relation  of  life. 

I. 

Oh !  God  of  Bethel,  whose  kind  hand. 

Has  all  our  fathers  led, 
And  in  this  desert  howling  land 

Has  still  their  table  spread. 

n. 

To  thee  our  humble  vows  we  raise, 

To  thee  address  our  prayer; 
And  trust  ourselves  and  all  our  ways 

To  thy  indulgent  care. 

HI. 

If  thou,  through  every  path  we  go, 

Wilt  be  our  constant  guide  ; 
If  thou  our  food  and  raiment  too 

Wilt  graciously  provide; 


5^8  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

IV. 

If  thou,  as  we  press  on  our  way, 

Wilt  cheer  us  with  thy  love, 
And  ne'er  permit  our  feet  to  stray 

Till  reach'd  thy  house  above : 

V. 

Thee  will  we  choose  to  be  our  God, 

To  thee  ourselves  resign ; 
With  all  we  are  and  have,  0  Lord, 

We  will  be  ever  thine. 

VI. 

For  if,  0  Lord,  thou  ours  wilt  be, 

We  can  give  up  the  rest ; 
Our  souls  possess'd  alone  of  thee. 

Are  infinitely  blest. 

At  this  time  he  received  from  Dr.  Doddricjge 
the  following  letter,  which  expresses  all  the  be- 
nevolence and  piety  of  the  Doctor's  heart. 

'' JVorthampton,  Feb.  16,  1741-2. 
"  My  dear  friend, 

"  Though  I  have  too  much  reason  to  begin  my 
letter  with  excuses  for  so  long  a  silence  ;  I  will 
trust  to  your  goodness  to  supply  that  deficiency, 
and  rather  begin  it  with  congratulations.  I  do 
therefore  most  heartily  congratulate  you  on  your 
entrance  upon  the  full  exercise  of  the  most 
honourable  and  most  delightful  office  in  the 
world.  I  congratulate  you  on  your  relation  to  so 
good  a  people  ;  on  your  being  honoured  with 
such  singular  success,  to  have  a  society  of  such 
persons  among  you,  raised  from  death  to  such  a 
degree  of  spiritual  life,  by  the  almighty  hand  of 
God. 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  69 

And  I  also  congratulate  you,  on  entering  into 
the  matrimonial  state  with  so  agreeable  a  com- 
panion for  life  as  I  hear  Mrs.  Darracott  is.  A  per- 
son who,  if  my  information  be  right,  has  all  the 
charms  of  person,  temper,  and  character  ;  and  is 
likely  not  only  to  be  a  faithful  but  a  delightful 
companion  in  the  way  to  heaven.  May  God 
multiply  his  blessings  upon  you  both  !  May  you 
both  strengthen  each  other's  hands,  and  quicken 
each  other's  hearts  in  the  great  business  of  life  ! 
And  may  God  give  you  health  and  prosperity  in 
your  worldly  affairs,  and  make  you  long-lived 
blessings  to  each  other  and  to  the  church. 

"  My  family  has  been  visited  with  an  affliction 
which  is  grievous  to  us,  the  death  of  Mr.  Lowe, 
who  died  of  a  gallopping  consumption  last  Wed- 
nesday, and  is  this  evening  to  be  interred.  It  is 
a  sad  stroke  upon  us,  but  softened  with  this 
circumstance,  that  though  he  came  hither  against 
his  will,  God  was  here  pleased  to  convince  him, 
as  he  told  me  almost  with  his  dying,  at  least  with 
his  labouring  breath,  of  many  errors  which  he 
had  imbibed  from  the  pernicious  writings  of  that 
wretched  Chubbs  and  some  other  persons,  and 
brought  him  to  those  views  of  Christ,  and  that 
dependance  upon  him  for  life  and  salvation,  in 
which  I  hope  he  is  now  rejoicing  in  the  presence 
of  God  above.  He  expressed  his  joy  in  the 
strongest  terms  that  ever  he  came  under  this  roof, 
and  I  hope  his  dying  conversation  was  more  useful 
than  the  living  labours  of  some   are  likely  to  be. 


60  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

God  grant  that  the  impression   may  be  deep  and 
lasting  ! 

How  is  it  that  when  eternity  comes  into  view, 
some  honest  moral  people,  who  before  had 
thought  lightly  of  the  gospel,  grow  into  a  sudden 
admiration  of  it,  and  dare  not  fix  their  own 
dependance  upon  any  thing  else,  without  any 
thing  to  work  their  conviction  but  their  own 
inward  experience  ?  It  is  a  circumstance  worth 
noticing,  and  worth  communicating.  Adored  be 
divine  grace,  we  are  making  it  our  daily  refuge  : 
and  I  hope  and  trust  it  will  hold  up  our  hearts  in 
peace  and  joy,  when  every  thing  else  puts  on  a 
gloomy  aspect^  and  the  shadow  of  the  grave  is 
spread  dark  and  thick  over  us.  Faith  has  an  eye 
that  will  penetrate  through  the  cloud,  and  God 
has  a  voice  which  I  hope  our  souls  will  then  hear, 
and  will  fill  them  not  only  with  serenity,  but,  if  it 
be  his  will,  with  transport. 

I  was  particularly  mindful  of  you,  on  your  first 
sacrament  day,  and  doubt  not  but  you  had  much 
of  the  presence  of  God  in  it.  I  think  of  accepting 
your  kind  invitation  in  the  month  of  June  or  July, 
if  God  prolong  my  poor  unprofitable  life  ;  (for, 
alas  !  'tis  too  much  so,)  to  that  period.  O  that  my 
heart  were  more  entirely  his !  O  that  my  life 
were  one  continued  series  of  zealous  active 
services  !  Go  on  vigorously  in  your  work,  my 
dear  brother,  preach  Christ  crucified  to  perishing 
souls  as  their  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification, 
and  redemption.     Lift  him  up  as  on  the  cross,  for 


MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT.  64 

the  healing  of  precious  immortal   souls,  that  they 
may  look  unto  him  and  be  saved. 

I  have  hopes  that  God  w^ill  spread  the  savour 
of  his  name  abroad,  and  vi^ill  revive  religion  among 
you  and  us.  I  feel  the  presence  of  God  in  my 
soul,  in  a  more  delightful  manner  than  I  can 
express,  and  I  think  when  I  pray  for  the  advance- 
ment of  his  interest  in  the  vv^orld,  there  is  some 
token  of  good  given  in  to  me,  which  encourages 
me  to  believe  that  my  prayers  are  heard.  Salute 
all  your  society  in  my  name,  and  assure  them 
that  I  wish  them  increase  of  grace  and  peace.  I 
have  not  time  to  add  any  thing  more,  but  that  I 
am,  most  cordially  yours, 

"  P.  Doddridge." 

Such  comforts  as  Mr.  Darracott  now  enjoyed 
have  caused  some  men  to  sink  the  public  in  the 
domestic  character,  reminding  us  of  the  bee 
whose  wings  have  become  incapable  of  flight  by 
immersion  in  its  own  honey.  But  Mr.  Darracott 
happily  escaped  this  ungrateful  perversion  of  the 
favours  of  heaven.  He  pursued  his  labours  with 
new  zeal,  and  the  Redeemer  crowned  them  with 
augmented  blessings.  His  hearers  increased  to 
such  an  amount  as  constantly  to  overflow  the  place 
of  worship,  which,  however,  served  to  display  the 
purity  of  his  motives  and  his  freedom  from  vanity  ; 
for  in  all  his  correspondence  he  mentions  only  that 
which  is  the  grand  end  of  hearing,  the  conversion 
of  souls  to  God,  and  the  increased  dominion  of 
religion  over  the  hearts  of  professed  Christians. 
6 


62  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

These  evidences  of  his  usefulness  were  continu- 
ally inspiring  him  with  fresh  delight,  so  that  the 
eight  and  tv\^enty  original  members  of  the  church 
soon  saw  themselves  surrounded  at  the  Lord's 
table  by  accessions  far  beyond  their  own  number. 

He  opened  houses  for  worship  in  most  of  the 
adjacent  villages,  where  he  preached  weekly. 
In  one,  which  was  about  a  mile  from  Welling- 
ton, and  from  the  character  of  the  inhabitants 
was  called  Rogue's  Green,  such  a  change  was 
effected,  as  produced  a  change  of  the  name. 
Drunkenness,  rioting,  and  indeed  sin  of  every 
description,  formerly  seemed  the  only  business 
of  the  inhabitants.  Not  one  of  them  was  known 
to  pretend  to  prayer  or  religion  under  any  form. 
But  it  pleased  God  to  crown  Mr.  Darracott's 
preaching  here  with  such  efficacy,  that,  after  a 
time,  the  traveller  heard  on  an  evening  the 
sound  of  prayer  and  praise  in  almost  every  house. 
The  place  lost  its  former  name,  and  is  now  called 
Roe  or  Row  Green. 

But  the  great  high-priest  of  the  church,  who 
was  made  perfect  through  sufferings,  had  too 
much  regard  for  this  faithful  servant  to  leave  him 
destitute  of  conformity  to  himself  in  this  most 
endearing  part  of  his  character  so  essential  to  the 
perfection  of  religion.  Mr.  Darracott  was,  in 
the  month  of  May,  1743,  thrown  upon  the  bed  of 
sickness,  which  would  not  have  been  mentioned 
here  (as  neither  the  affliction  nor  its  consolations 
can  be  reckoned  extraordinary  in  the  history  of 
a  Christian)  were  it  not  that  it  affords  an  oppor- 


MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT.  65 

tlinity  of  introducing  a  letter  to  him  from  Dr. 
Doddridge,  of  which  no  pious  reader  will  wish 
to  have  been  deprived. 

"  Yes,  my  dear  and  invaluable  friend,  though 
it  be  a  Sabbath  and  a  sacrament  day,  if  you 
desire  a  few  lines  from  me  by  return  of  post 
you  shall  be  sure  to  have  them,  and  I  doubt  not 
that  our  dear  Lord  will  not  only  excuse,  but 
accept  such  an  office  of  love,  in  such  sacred 
moments  too.  But  my  heart  is  pained  while  I 
undertake  it,  when  I  consider  in  what  circum- 
stances I  am  writing  to  you.  Good  Mr.  Fawcett 
had  prepared  me  for  that  shock  which  the  latter 
part  of  your  letter  was  to  give  me,  by  acquainting 
me  with  your  illness,  your  dangerous  illness. 
And  O  !  what  a  wound  was  it  to  my  heart,  to 
mine  which  loves  you  as  a  tender  parent,  and 
more  than  a  parent,  if  that  can  be  possible,  to  me 
who  look  upon  you  as  eminently  my  joy,  and 
my  crown. 

"  Must  the  residue  of  your  days,  my  dear  friend, 
be  cut  short  in  the  midst  ?  must  the  world  and 
the  church  lose  you  ?  Alas  !  it  is  almost  like  a 
sword  in  my  heart.  'Tis  what  I  hardly  know 
how  to  bring  my  mind  to  submit  to,  and  ac- 
quiesce in,  with  that  humble  deference  which 
we  owe  to  that  infinite  wisdom  which  is  to 
determine  the  affair.  But  I  would  fain  say, 
"  Father,  thy  will  be  done  !"  I  would  give  you 
up  to  him  whose  claims  to  you  are  so  much 
greater  than  ours  ;  not  without  a  secret  hope  that 
he  would    give    you  back    again  to  our   humble 


64  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

prayer,  and  will  make  your  life  the  sweeter,  and 
your  labour  yet,  if  possible,  more  acceptable  and 
useful  in  consequence  of  this  threatening  illness. 
Of  this,  at  least,  I  am  sure,  he  has  stirred  up 
my  spirit,  and  that  of  several  others,  to  pray 
earnestly  for  you,  and  to  plead  almost  as  for  our 
own  soul.  And  I  cannot  but  think  that  the 
consequence  is,  he  will  spare  you  a  little  to 
recover  strength. 

"  If,  however,  our  dear  Lord  who  hath  redeemed 
you  by  his  blood  should  lead  you  immediately  to 
himself;  O  happy  man  that  you  are  !  O  favourite 
servant,  so  soon  to  be  called  home  !  so  soon 
ripened  for  heaven,  and  brought  thither  !  "  Blessed 
are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord."  Blessed  vvill 
you  be  in  that  holy  society  in  which  you  will 
then  be  fixed ;  in  that  perfect  state  free  from 
every  evil  of  mind  or  of  body,  full  of  everlasting, 
uninterrupted,  ardent  love,  love  like  that  which 
fills  the  breasts  of  cherubim  and  seraphim.  You 
will  see  our  dear  Lord. 

"  I  did  but  dream  awhile  ago,  that  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  was  come  into  the  room  in  which  I 
was,  and  gave  a  signal  that  he  was  opening  the 
door;  and  my  heart  sprung  with  such  a  joy  that  I 
immediately  awoke  as  in  an  extacy ;  and  I  can 
truly  say,  I  never  felt  a  joy  in  my  whole  life  that 
seemed  to  equal  it.  It  appeared  to  be  a  ray  of 
heaven,  and  it  seems,  though  it  happened  before 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  65 

I  saw  you  last,  to  have  left  something  of  a  trace 
of  heaven  on  my  soul  to  this  moment. 

"  What  then  will  your  waking  raptures  be  ? 
your  substantial  joys  ?  you  will  forget  this  poor 
body  ;  perhaps  forget  the  dearest  of  all  your  rela- 
tives, or  if  you  remember  them,  it  will  be  to  adore 
God  who  keeps  and  blesses  them,  and  will  un- 
doubtedly magnify  his  mercy  to  them.  If  you 
should  see  them  even  in  affliction,  your  heart  will 
rejoice,  in  that  you  will  view  their  afflictions  in 
the  light  of  heaven.  You  will  think  what  benefit 
you  yourself  have  received  from  chastenings  which 
were  not  for  the  present  joyous  but  grievous,  and 
will  see  the  interval  of  time  that  hinders  the 
embrace  of  the  perfect  spirits  in  glory  but  as 
a  moment,  and  the  twinkling  of  an  eye. 

"  Away  then,  my  dear  friend,  with  every  mourn- 
ful view.  Begin,  begin  upon  earth  the  songs  of 
heaven.  Tell  all  that  are  around  you  what  God 
hath  done  for  your  soul,  and  what  he  is  still  do- 
ing. Open  the  inward  joy  of  your  heart  to  them, 
and  let  them  see  what  that  gospel  you  have 
preached  does  for  you,  that  they  may  envy  your 
dying  bed,  if  yours  be  so  ;  and  may,  amidst  all 
their  sorrows,  rejoice  that  you  are  going  to  your 
Father. 

Look,  my  dear  brother,  look  to  Jesus,  our 
rising,  ascending,  Lord.  Behold  him  pointing 
upward,  amidst  the  raptures  wath  which  he  was 
leaving  this  poor  world  of  ours  ;  pointing  upward, 
and  saying,  "  I  ascend  to  my  father  and  to  your 
father,  to  my  God  and  to  your  God."  O  happy  man 
6* 


66  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

that  you  are,  so  quickly  to  ascend  after  him ! 
Receive  in  this  case  not  my  condolence,  but 
congratulation  ;  my  pity  is  not  yours,  but  dear 
Mrs.  Darracott's.  How  shall  I  name  that 
amiable  woman  in  such  a  circumstance  ?  The 
Lord  support  her,  the  Lord  spare  her,  and  lay 
not  this  trial  upon  her.  But  if  she  must  bear  it, 
may  he  himself  who  alone  can  do  it,  make  up  the 
loss,  and  be  a  better  husband  to  her  than  that 
very  delightful  one  he  may  take  away.  Commit 
her  to  his  Providence  and  his  grace,  without  a 
suspicious  thought  ;  her  and  her  dear  child. 
O  my  dear  friend,  be  assured  God  will  take 
tender,  constant,  generous  care  of  them  both. 
Had  God  given  me  possession,  proportionable  to 
my  love  to  you,  I  would  say,  she  should  be  as  my 
sister,  and  the  little  one  as  my  daughter,  and 
greatly  should  I  think  myself  honoured  and  blessed 
in  supplying  the  wants  of  both. 

"  But  of  this  be  assured,  that  I  will  watch  over 
them  according  to  my  ability.  They  shall  want 
no  counsel ;  no  assistance  that  I  can  give  or  pro- 
cure for  them,  shall  stand  foremost  in  the  list  of 
those  whose  necessities,  if  they  should  be  in  any 
necessity,  I  will  remember,  and  to  the  utmost  of 
my  power  exert  myself  to  help.  But  I  rather 
pray,  if  it  be  the  blessed  will  of  our  dear  and 
gracious  Disposer  and  Lord,  that  you  may  be 
spared  to  show  kindness  to  my  widow  and 
orphans,  than  I  to  yours.  But  farewell  !  you  see 
to  what  the  line  or  two,  which  you  asked  of  me, 
is  grown  up.     My  overflowing  heart  would  have 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  67 

made  it  much  longer,  would  my  time,  my  paper, 
and  my  business  have  allowed  it.  For  alas  !  it 
seems  to  me  that  I  do  but  now  begin  to  learn 
with  how  much  tenderness  I  am, 
"  Dear  Sir, 
"  Your  affectionate  brother  and  friend  in  ever- 
lasting bonds,  which  death,  instead  of  dissolving, 
will  tie  the  faster, 

"P.  Doddridge." 

"  He  that  watereth  others  shall  be  watered 
also  himself.  Give  and  it  shall  be  given  to  you  ; 
good  measure  pressed  down,  and  shaken  together, 
and  running  over,  shall  men  give  into  your 
bosom  ;  for  with  the  same  measure  that  ye  mete 
withal,  it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again." 
These  promises  were  most  strikingly  verified  in 
the  history  of  Doddridge.  The  letter  which  has 
now  opened  to  the  reader  the  kindness,  sympathy, 
and  piety  of  the  doctor's  breast,  was  requited  and 
surpassed  by  one  sent  to  him  in  his  last  illness  by 
Mr.  Barker,  minister  of  Salter's  Hall,  London. 
It  must  be  well  known  to  every  reader  of  Dod- 
dridge's life. 

But,  as  some  who  may  peruse  this  volume  may 
not  have  seen  that  valuable  work,  the  letter  is 
here  presented,  as  a  fit  companion  to  the  for- 
mer : — 

"  Lessingham,  Meal,  and  Barker,  are  too  near- 
ly interested  in  that  precious  life,  which  now 
appears  in  danger  of  being  cut  off  in  the  midst  of 
its  days,  to  hear  of  its  waste   and  languishing 


08  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

without    great   concern,   and   fervent   prayer  to 
God. 

''  How  your  letter  affected  my  heart  in  public, 
your  friends  are  witness  ;  but  what  I  felt  for  my 
dear  brother,  and  the  ministers  and  churches  of 
Christ,  God  and  myself  only  know.  I  will  not 
now  say,  why  did  you  spend  so  fast  ?  why  did  you 
not  spare  yourself  a  little  sooner  ?  I  will  rather 
heartily  thank  you,  that  you  use  all  the  means 
you  can  to  repair  your  frame,  and  restore  and 
prolong  your  usefulness.  It  is  the  kindest  thing 
you  can  do,  and  the  highest  instance  of  friend- 
ship you  can  now  shew  us  ;  and  I  acknowledge 
your  goodness  to  us,  in  this  point,  with  tears  of 
joy.  Consent  and  choose  to  stay  with  us  awhile 
longer,  my  dear  friend,  if  it  please  God.  This  is 
not  only  needful  to  Northampton  and  its  adjacent 
towns  and  villages,  but  desirable  to  us  all,  and 
beneficial  to  our  whole  interest.  Stay  Doddridge, 
O  stay  and  strengthen  our  hands,  whose  shadows 
grow  long  !  Fifty  is  but  the  height  of  vigour, 
usefulness,  and  honour.  Don't  take  leave  ab- 
ruptly. Providence  hath  not  directed  thee  yet, 
on  whom  to  drop  thy  mantle.  Who  shall  instruct 
our  youth,  fill  our  vacant  churches,  animate  our 
associations,  and  diff'use  a  spirit  of  piety,  mode- 
ration, candour,  and  charity  through  our  villages 
and  churches  ;  and  a  spirit  of  prayer  and  suppli- 
cation into  our  towns  and  cities,  when  thou  art 
removed  from  us  ?  Especially,  who  shall  unfold 
the  sacred  oracles,  teach  us  the  meaning  and  use 
of  our  bibles,    rescue   us  from  the   bondage  of 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  69 

systems,  party-opinions,  empty,  useless  specula- 
tions, and  fashionable  forms  and  phrases  ;  and 
point  out  to  us  the  simple,  intelligible,  consistent, 
uniform  religion  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  ?  Who 

shall But  I  am  silenced  by  the  voice  of  Him, 

who  says,  <  Shall  I  not  do  what  I  will  with  my 
own  ?  Is  it  not  my  prerogative  to  take  and  leave, 
as  seemeth  me  good  ?  I  demand  the  liberty  of 
disposing  of  my  own  servants  at  my  own  pleas- 
ure. He  hath  laboured  more  abundantly.  His 
times  are  in  my  hand.  He  hath  not  slept  as  do 
others.  He  hath  risen  to  nobler  heights  than 
things  below.  He  hopes  to  inherit  glory.  He 
hath  laboured  for  that,  which  endureth  to  eternal 
life  :  Labour,  which  the  more  it  abounds,  the 
more  it  exalts  and  magnifies  its  object,  and  the 
more  effectually  answers  and  secures  its  end. — It 
is  yours  to  wait  and  trust, — mine  to  dispose  and 
govern. — On  me  be  the  care  of  ministers  and 
churches. — With  me  is  the  residue  of  the  Spirit. 
— Both  the  vineyard  and  the  labourers  are  mine. 
— I  set  them  to  work,  and  when  I  please,  I  call 

them  and  give  them  their  hire.' With  these 

thoughts,  my  passions  subside, — my  mind  is 
softened  and  satisfied, — I  resign  thee,  myself  and 
all,  to  God,  saying,  ^  thy  will  be  done  !' 

"  But  now  for  the  wings  of  faith  and  contempla- 
tion. Let  me  take  thy  hand,  my  dear  brother, 
and  walk  a  turn  or  two  in  yonder  spacious 
regions.  Yes,  it  is  so  ;  we  read  it  in  the  book  of 
God,  that  word  of  truth  and  gospel  of  our  salva- 
tion— that  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ 


70  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

shall  all    be   made   alive.     The    one    ruined  his 
posterity  by   sin  ;   the   other  raiseth  his  seed  to 
immortality.      This    poisoned  the    dart    and    in- 
flamed  the   wound   of  death  ;  but   Jesus   Christ 
redeemeth  us   from  this  captivity.       See,    thou 
christian  minister,  thou  friend   of  my  bosom  and 
faithful  servant  of  God,  see  the  important  period, 
when  the  surprising  signs  and   descendmg   inha- 
bitants  of  heaven,   proclaim  the  second  coming 
of  our  divine   Saviour  !     The  heavens  open  and 
disclose  his  radiant  glory. — Hear  the  awakening 
trump. — See,    the    dead    in  Christ  arise  glorious 
and  immortal — leave   corruption,  weakness   and 
honour  behind  them,   and  behold  their  Lord  and 
Head  seated  on  his  throne  of  judgment,  attended 
and  surrounded  with  the  ministers  of  his  power 
and   pleasure,   and  shining  in   all  the  fulness   of 
celestial  glory  ; — and  not  only  see  but  share   his 
victory   and   lustre, — partake   of  his   image   and 
influence.     And   behold   the   demolished   fabric 
reared  again,   stately    and   ornamented — shining 
and   illustrious — permanent  and  durable — to  de- 
monstrate how   entirely  death  is  vanquished,   all 
its  ruins  repaired  ;  and  what  was  once  meat    for 
worms  is  now  a  companion  of  angels  :  for  when 
'  this  corruptible  shall  have  put  on  incorruption, 
and  this  mortal,  immortality,'  every  eye  will  be 
fastened   on   the   mighty   conqueror,    and  every 
voice  and  harp  be   tuned   for  that   transporting 
song,  '  O  Death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?     O   Grave, 
where  is  thy  victory  ?'     Yes,  Doddridge,  it  is  so. 
The  fruit    of   our    Redeemer's    sufferings    and 


MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT.  7l 

victory  is  the  entire  and  eternal  destruction  of 
sin  and  death.  And  is  it  not  a  glorious  destruc- 
tion ?  a  most  blessed  ruin  ?  No  enemy  so 
formidable — no  tyranny  so  bitter — no  fetters  so 
heavy  and  galling — no  prison  so  dark  and  dismal 
— but  they  are  vanquished  and  disarmed  ; — the 
unerring  dart  is  blunted  and  broken — the  prison 
pulled  down  and  razed.  Our  Lord  is  risen,  as 
'  the  first-fruits  of  them  that  slept.' 

«'  How  glad  should  I  be  to  hear,  that  God  is  so 
pleased  to  prolong  thy  life  on  earth,  to  declare 
the  glorious  truths  and  teach  us  to  improve  them  ! 
In  this,  your  friends  with  you,  and  many  more  in 
every  place,  join,  and  make  it  our  common 
petition  to  the  great  Disposer  of  all  events.  Use 
every  means  you  can  for  the  recovery  of  your 
health,  for  the  sake  of  your  friends,  among  whom 
is  your  faithful  and  affectionate, 

"J.  Barker." 

No  one  can  wonder  to  hear  Orton,  the  biogra- 
pher of  Doddridge,  say,  "  the  Doctor  was  so 
deeply  affected  with  the  friendship  expressed  in 
this  letter,  and  the  divine  consolations  it  admin- 
istered, that  there  was  reason  to  fear  that  his 
tender  frame  would  have  sunken  under  the 
emotions  of  his  gratitude  and  joy."  The  reader 
of  these  two  beautiful  letters,  can  scarcely  per- 
suade himself  that  the  writer  of  the  latter  had 
not  seen  that  of  Doddridge,  and  determined  to 
surpass  it. 

From  an  affliction   rendered  pleasant  by  the 


72  MEMOIRS     or    DARRACOTT. 

consolations  of  God,  and  the  friendship  of  the 
just,  Mr.  Darracott  came  forth  like  a  giant  re- 
freshed with  wine.  It  is  not,  indeed,  surprising 
that  such  consolations  as  he  enjoyed  should  feed 
the  flames  of  his  zeal,  and  suggest  new  modes  of 
improving  life  to  the  utmost.  To  the  ordinary 
addresses  from  the  pulpit  he  added  letters  written 
to  those  whom  his  sermons  had  failed  to  impress, 
or  whose  impressions  were  but  recent.  Some- 
times, instead  of  sending,  he  would  read  them 
to  those  for  whom  they  were  intended  ;  thus  he 
gave  a  more  solemn  address  than  ordinary  con- 
versation allows,  while  yet  he  avoided  the  ap- 
pearance of  formal  preaching. 

A  letter  written  to  a  friend  at  this  time  de- 
Telopes  the  heart  of  a  faithful  pastor.  "  When  I 
wrote  last,  I  think  I  told  you  I  had  buried  a  young 
convert  God  gave  me,  who  died  lately ;  that  I 
preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and  was  desired  to 
preach  it  again  the  Sabbath  following.  I  did  so, 
with  renewed  prayers  that  God  would  give  us 
another  to  fill  up  the  room  of  the  deceased  ;  and 
God  gave  me  great  freedom  to  speak  to  young 
persons  on  the  happiness  of  being  in  Christ.  A 
young  lady  I  saw  was  much  affected.  When  I 
came  home  I  found  myself  much  impressed  to 
pray  for  her  in  particular,  and  the  next  morning 
to  write  to  her  on  the  subject.  I  accordingly 
did,  and  in  the  evening  having  taken  her  up  into 
my  study,  I  read  my  letter  to  her,  at  which  she 
wept  much ;  I  asked  her  whether  she  had  not 
been  impressed,  and  she  told  me,  she  had.     This 


MEMOIllS     OF     DAHRACOT  T. 


appeared  remarkable  to  us  both ;  for  till  this 
time  I  had  little  thought  of  her,  seeing  her  quite 
gay  and  unconcerned  ;  and  she  owned,  that  till 
lately  she  had  never  been  affected.  Just  upon 
this,  even  that  very  week,  it  pleased  Gcd,  in 
order  to  establish  and  confirm  tiie  work,  to  bring 
dear  Miss  Baker  to  lake  up  her  abode  at  my 
house.  I  immediately  acquainted  her  with  it, 
and  she  was  much  surj^rised  and  delighted.  The 
week  after,  a  society  was  formed  of  females  for 
private  prayer." 

"  While  I  was  writing  this,  I  was  called  down 
to  speak  with  Miss  Norman,  and  to  my  great 
surprise  found  that  she  was  come  to  talk  with 
me  about  her  soul,  and  wished  particularly  to  be 
taken  into  communion.  I  find  she  has  been 
under  concern  a  long  time,  and  blesses  God  she 
ever  heard  me  :  this  is  the  more  surprising,  as  the 
whole  family  has  been  very  strange  to  us  and 
is  still." 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  he  laboured 
without  opposition,  or  enjoyed  success  without 
afiliction.  The  fruits  of  his  labours  were  some- 
times snatched  from  his  hands  by  those  who 
differed  from  him  in  some  points,  not  however 
essential  to  a  Christian's  hopes  :  but  what  most 
grieved  the  affectionate  soul  of  Darracott  was,  to 
gee  that  those  who  had  not  won  the  converts 
from  the  world,  could  estrange  their  hearts  from 
him  who  had. 

Opposition  of  another  kind  too,  tried  whether 
his  patience  would  keep  pace  with  his  zeal.     He 
7 


74  MEMOIRS     OF    DARUACOTT.    • 

had  been  for  some  time  in  the  habit  of  preaching 
at  Langford,  a  village  about  two  miles  from 
Wellington.  On  one  occasion,  when  accompa- 
nied by  a  number  of  his  friends  from  the  town, 
the  congregation  became  so  numerous,  that  he 
was  obliged  to  stand  at  the  door  to  afford  to  the 
whole  company  the  benefit  of  the  worship.  Just 
before  he  began  to  preach,  a  neighbouring  gen- 
tleman came  up  at  the  head  of  a  mob  armed 
with  clubs,  swearing  and  threatening  to  fall  upon 
him  if  he  attempted  to  preach.  Though  Mr. 
Darracott  assured  this  gentleman-rioter  that  the 
house  w^as  registered,  and  that  he  was  under 
the  protection  of  the  law,  it  only  drew  forth  the 
heroic  declaration  of  not  caring  for  the  law.  Mr. 
Darracott  deemed  it  prudent,  lest  mischief  should 
ensue,  to  desist  from  preaching  at  that  time.  He 
drew  up  an  account  of  the  atfair,  and  threatened 
to  prosecute,  which  intention  he  afterwards 
abandoned. 

This  mode  of  opposition  was  not  resorted  to 
again.  Those  who  in  the  heat  of  wine,  at  the 
head  of  a  band  of  rioters,  bid  defiance  to  law  and 
government,  have  usually  too  much  tenderness 
for  their  persons,  property,  and  honour,  coolly  to 
risk  a  fine  or  a  jail,  for  the  sake  of  venting  their 
hatred  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The 
reader  will  not  be  surprised  to  learn,  that  it  was 
such  a  gentleman  as  opposed  him  on  this  occa- 
sion, who,  on  seeing  Mr.  Darracott  pass  by,  pro- 
nounced this  eulogium  on  him,  "there  goes  a 
man  who  serves  God  as  if  the  Devil  were  in  him." 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  75 

Thus  the  demons  themselves  were  compelled  to 
publish  the  Saviour's  praise  :  "  we  know  thee 
who  thou  art,  the  holy  one  of  God."  Indeed  the 
praises  which  impiety  has  bestowed  upon  religion, 
would,  if  collected,  form  a  volume  of  no  small 
size  or  interest. 

This  volume  will  doubtless  be  produced,  when 
the  judgment  shall  sit,  and  the  books  shall  be 
opened.  It  will  then  appear,  that  the  christian's 
light  has  so  shone  before  men,  that  they  have 
seen  the  good  works  of  the  righteous,  and  will 
be  compelled  to  glorify  God  in  the  day  of  visita- 
tion. But  we  can  scarcely  conceive  of  a  testi- 
mony to  the  zeal  of  a  christian  more  striking,  than 
that  given  to  Darracott.  It  was  manifest,  even 
to  his  enemies,  that  he  served  his  Maker  with  a 
devotion  more  than  human  :  but  as  they  were 
not  in  the  habit  of  ascribing  any  thing  to  divine 
influence,  they  attributed  his  zeal  for  God  to  the 
impulse  of  the  Devil. 

In  the  year  174  5,  Mr.  Darracott  felt,  in  coni- 
mon  with  most  who  were  deeply  interested  in 
the  welfare  of  religion,  the  most  distressing  alarms 
from  the  rebellion  in  the  north.  The  progress 
of  the  Pretender  brought  to  the  view  of  the  non- 
conformists, the  days  when  their  fathers  were 
hunted  into  holes  and  corners,  or  immured  in 
prisons.  Their  children  were  filled  with  horror 
at  the  prospect  of  the  return  of  the  Stuarts, 
whom  they  regarded  as  the  sworn  foes  of  liberty, 
of  conscience   and  pure  religion. 

This  storm,  however,  which  threatened  to  blast 


i^h 


76  MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT- 

all  his  prospects  of  usefulness  was  soon  blown 
over,  and  left  Mr.  Darracott  to  exchange  the  cry 
of  danger,  the  prayer  of  faith,  for  the  song  of 
praise,  and  the  grateful  inquiry  "  what  shall  I 
render  to  the  Lord  fur  all  his  benefits  ?"  The 
dread  of  speedy  termination  to  his  labours,  taught 
him,  indeed,  to  work  while  it  was  day,  and  his 
zeal  was  abundantly  rewarded  by  seeing  such 
crowds  flock  around  his  pulpit,  as  made  it  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  enlarge  the  place  of  worship. 
The  sum  which  they  proposed  to  expend  was 
only  a  hundred  pounds,  but  as  this  was  one-fourth 
of  what  the  whole  place  had  cost  about  twenty 
years  before,  it  was  also  more  than  the  slender 
finances  of  the  congregation  could  afford  ;  so  that 
it  became  necessary  for  him  to  lindertake  the 
disagreeable  task  of  travelling  to  collect  among 
other  societies. 

That  they  built,  not  merely  to  accommodate 
casual  hearers,  will  be  seen  from  an  account  of 
the  increase  of  the  church  which  he  wrote  about 
this  time.  It  is  dated  "  November  1  I,  1747,  the 
sixth  anniversary  of  my  ordination."  He  kept 
this  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  a  practice 
which  cannot  be  too  warmly  recommended  to 
ministers  ;  for  it  is  the  natural  result  of  eminent 
religion  employed  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
To  an  unsuccessful  minister  it  might  suggest 
such  reflections,  and  prompt  to  such  conduct,  as 
might  save  him  from  being  thrown  aside  by  an 
indignant  God,  as  a  vessel  in  which  he  has  no 
pleasure.     To   those  who  have  succeeded,  like 


MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT.  77 

Risdon  Darracott,  it  must  be  unnecessary  to  re- 
commend such  days  of  review  ;  they  have  aheady 
been  tried  and  sufficiently  recommended  them- 
selves by  numerous  benefits,  and  by  such  exqui- 
site pleasures  as  Mr.  Darracott  here  expressed. 

"  O  what  thankfulness  and  joy  has  it  raised  in 
my  heart  to-day,  to  look  over  a  list  of  so  many 
seals  given  to  my  worthless  labours  :  I  have 
been  praising  God  for  one  hundred  and  twelve 
souls,  since  this  day  six  years,  added  to  the 
church  ;  the  far  greater  part  of  whom  have  been 
begotten  again  in  Christ  Jesus  under  my  ministry, 
and  of  all  I  have  good  hope.  A  list  of  names 
which  I  would  not  part  with  for  the  joys  of  the 
whole  earth." 

The  following  letter  to  his  sister  in  law,  gives 
so  full  an  account  of  his  success  at  this  time, 
that  it  will  form  the  best  continuation  of  the 
narrative  which  it  may  seem  to  interrupt. 

«  Wellington,  Feb,  10,  1746-7. 
"  My  dear  sister, 
"  I  am  now  set  down  to  give  you  some  account 
of  things  here  :  and  I  think  there   never   was  at 
one  time   a   greater  work  going   on   than   there 
is  just  now.     Ever  since  my  refusal  of  Petherton, 
there  hath  been   a  fresh   work   here   among  us. 
The  first  who  were  awakened,   and  I  believe  are 
now  effectually  converted,  were  Alexander  Swine 
and  his  wife  ;  and  there  is  this  remarkable   in  it* 
7* 


78  MEMOIRS   OF  DAKRACOTT. 

that  though  he  had  been  two  years  under  my 
ministry,  and  about  the  beginning  of  it  was  taken 
very  ill  and  given  over,  at  which  time  I  attended 
him  often  and  prayed  with  him  ;  yet  till  about 
three  months  ago,  when  I  went  down  to  see 
him  and  his  wife,  and  talked  with  them  about 
their  souls,  and  spent  some  time  in  prayer, 
he  hath  declared  to  me  since,  that  he  was  never 
before  once  affected,  nor  ever  prayed  in  all  his 
life.  But  then  he  felt  a  mighty  power  going 
forth  with  my  discourse  and  prayer,  and  from 
that  time  is  so  enlightened  and  wonderfully 
changed  as  surprises  himself  and  all  that  inti- 
mately knew  him  ;  and  now  behold  he  prays,  so 
that  his  very  neighbours  take  notice  of  it. 

"  He  was  taken  into  the  church,  the  first  of 
January,  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  all.  And  his 
wife,  who  was  always  brought  up  among  the 
dissenters,  and  for  many  years  had  been  under 
convictions,  and  laboured  hard  to  bring  over  her 
husband  to  the  meeting  ;  yet  never  felt  the  work 
to  be  deep  in  her  soul,  till  that  very  day.  So 
that  they  were  both  as  it  were  born  again  at  tho 
same  time,  and  under  the  same  means,  though 
she  was  taken  into  the  church  the  month  before 
her  husband  ;  they  now  live  together  sweetly  in 
the  fear  of  God,  and  their  house  is  become  the 
house  of  prayer. 

"  The  next  remarkable  work  was  by  two  ser- 
mons I  preached  ;  one  in  the  evening  of  the  old 
year,  from  those  words,  Rev.  x.  5^  6.     '  And  the 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOtt.  79 

Hngel  which  I  saw  stand  upon  the  sea,  and  upon 
the  earth,  lifted  up  his  hand  to  heaven  and  sware 
by  him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever,  that  there 
should  be  time  no  longer.'  And  the  other,  on 
the  new  year's  day  morning,  from  Moses's  invita^ 
tionto  his  brother  in  law,  Numb.  x.  29.  '  We 
are  journeying  unto  the  place  of  which  the 
Lord  said,  I  will  give  it  you.  Come  thou  with 
us,  and  we  will  do  thee  good  :  for  the  Lord  hath 
spoken  good  concerning  Israel.' 

"  Under  both  those  sermons  many  were  awa- 
kened, and  still  continue  to  give  good  hopes» 
Among  the  rest  Miss  Gifford,  to  whom  I  wrote  a 
letter  the  new  year's  day  after  the  sermon,  and 
sent  her  by  Miss  Haine,  which  was  much  blessed, 
so  that  she  immediately  came  to  me,  and  with 
many  tears  thanked  me.  I  hope  the  Lord  will 
soon  add  her  to  the  church.  She  was  that  even- 
ing with  the  women's  society.  Her  brother 
James  is  under  great  concern,  and  I  have  wrote 
a  letter  to  send  him,  may  God  make  it  as  suc- 
cessful as  his  sister's  was. 

"  One  Mr.  Oland,  a  farmer,  (whom  I  believe 
you  knew)  hath  been  more  than  ordinarily  con- 
cerned of  late  about  his  soul.  He  hath  always 
been  a  moral  man,  but,  for  some  Sabbaths  past^ 
he  hath  been  much  affected  under  the  word  ;  and 
in  my  last  address  from  the  Lord's  table  to  the 
spectators,  was  so  struck  that  he  was  obliged  to 
lay  down  his  head.  I  have  this  week  sent  him  a 
letter,   and  am  waiting   the   success.     Here  are 


80  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

several  others  under  great  concern,  whom  you 
don't  know,  and  some  of  them  that  I  was  myself 
never  acquainted  with,  till  the  concern  they  were 
under  brought  them  to  me.  A  set  of  sermons  I 
have  been  some  time  preaching,  on  our  lost  and 
undone  state  by  nature,  and  recovery  by  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  are  much  blessed.  On  Lord's 
day,  I  was  told  that  a  company  of  boys  met  to- 
gether to  pray,  and  are  much  altered  in  their 
temper.  I  am  to  meet  them  next  Saturday  night, 
at  the  house  of  one  of  the  boys'  father's. 

There  is  one  instance  more  of  the  Lord's  work 
I  must  be  sure  to  tell  you,  as  perhaps  the  most 
remarkable  of  all ;  and  that  is  the  bringing  in  one 
at  the  eleventh  hour.  His  name  is  Fry,  a  farmer, 
one  of  the  oldest  in  the  congregation,  being  four- 
score years  old  at  Candlemas.  Though  he  hath 
been  a  constant  attendant  on  the  worship  of  God 
for  so  many  years,  yet  he  owns  he  was  never  any 
way  awakened  till  I  came  hither,  and  never  so 
much  as  of  late.  He  came  to  me  before  our  last 
preparation,  and  with  tears  told  me,  he  could  not 
die  satisfied  until  he  had  given  up  his  soul  to 
Christ  in  his  own  ordinance.  And  from  what 
conversation  I  then  had  with  him  I  had  encour- 
agement then  to  propose  him,  and  am  since 
more  satisfied.  So  that  I  believe  he  will  be  re- 
ceived next  time.  Thus  can  v/e  sing  to  the  glo- 
ry of  our  dear  Redeemer. 


Wide  as  the  reach  of  Satan's  rage, 
Doth  thy  salvation  flow  ; 

'Tis  not  confin'd  to  sex  or  age, 
The  lofiy  or  the  low. 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARKACOTti  81 

"  Oh  !  my  dear  sister,  when  you  read  this,  go 
«nd  bless  God  on  our  behalf.  Shout  with  us  the 
piaises  of  free  grace.  I  see  more  every  day  that 
the  grace  of  God  is  free  ;  and  for  this  reason  it 
will  be  adored  by  all  the  happy  subjects  of  it  to 
all  eternity.  It  passes  by  whom  it  will,  and 
chooses  whom  it  pleases.  The  place,  the  person, 
and  the  instrument  of  the  work,  is  all  owing  to 
the  free  grace  of  God.  Else  why  is  Wellington 
so  favoured,  w^hen  larger,  better  places  are  not  so 
distinguished  ?  such  and  such  in  this  place  marked 
out,  when  others  are  left  ?  Why  is  so  weak,  so 
worthless  a  creature  made  use  of,  and  others  who 
are  better  not  employed  .?  Oh  !  my  dear  sister,  I 
am  constrained  to  say.  Lord,  why  am  I  chosen  ? 
and  see  no  other   answer   can  be   returned,   but, 

0  Lord,  because  it  seems  good  in  thy  sight.  To 
him  be  all  the  glory. 

"  But  I  have  now  wrote  so  much  of  these  things, 

1  have  left  scarce  room  to  say  any  thing  else.  Let 
me  just  tell  you  we  are  all  well  as  yet,  but  the 
small-pox  is  come  into  town,  and  we  are  daily 
expecting  to  be  tried  with  it.  All  our's  is  the 
Lord's,  and  let  him  do  as  he  pleases.  We  join 
in  most  affectionate  respects  to  you  and  brother. 
The  Lord  be  with  you  in  the  needful  hour,  and 
in  every  other  hour,  and  be  better  than  all  your 
fears.  Trust  him  with  your  all,  with  whom  you 
have  trusted  your  soul.  Farewell  ;  in  tho 
Lord,  yours, 

«  Risdon  Darracott," 


82  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

As  the  heart  of  the  good  man  was  full  of  his 
success,  he  sunt  a  similar  account  to  Dr.  Dod- 
dridge, which  drew  from  him  the  following  re- 
p]y. 

"  JVorthampton,  March  30,  1747. 

"  My  very  dear  friend, 
*'  I  thank  you,  and  above  all,  I  thank  God  for 
the  charming  contents  of  your  letter,  which  I 
have  this  evening  received,  and  which  was  a 
most  reviving  cordial  for  me,  after  I  came  out  of 
the  pulpit,  where  I  have  been  ending  my  ser- 
mons on  the  parables  for  this  year,  concluding 
this  night  those  on  the  prodigal  son,  which  I 
hope  I  have  not  been  prosecuting  without  much 
blessing  from  that  gracious  Saviour  by  whom  it 
was  uttered.  I  have  been  bowing  my  knees  to 
the  Father  of  all  mercy,  to  return  him  my  most 
unfeigned  thanks  for  the  signal  honour  he  is 
pleased  to  confer  upon  you,  and  for  the,  I  think, 
almost  unparalleled  encouragement  he  is  giving 
to  your  ministry,  very  far  beyond  what  I  can  pre- 
tend to.  But  when  I  consider  how  very  little  I 
deserve,  I  rather  wonder  that  I  am  not  left  total- 
ly destitute  of  all  success,  than  that  all  my  wish- 
es are  not  answered.  I  rejoice  to  observe  the 
humility  with  which  you  express  yourself  in  the 
midst  of  all.  'Tis  by  the  grace  of  God  you  are 
what  you  are,  both  with  respect  to  ability,  zeal, 
and  success.  'Tis  my  hearty  prayer  that  all  the 
gifts,  graces,  and  blessings  of  God's  holy  Spirit, 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  83 

may  more  and  more  be  made  to  abound  towards 
you. 

"  I  am  particularly  pleased  with  the  account 
you  give  me  of  writing  letters  to  some  of  your 
people  with  such  good  success.  Perhaps  it  may 
put  me  upon  doing  the  like.  God  has  made  use 
of  your  letters  to  quicken,  as  w^ell  as  to  comfort 
me,  and  will  by  it,  I  doubt  not,  quicken  my 
prayers  for  you.  Let  yours  for  me,  1  beseech 
you,  be  continued." 

Mr.  Darracott  could  say,  as  Dr.  Doddridge  did 
in  this  letter,  that  his  pecuniary  embarrassments 
increased  with  his  prosperity  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  For  in  the  year  1748,  the  hospitality 
which  his  generous  soul  practised  as  a  pas^toral 
duty,  was  so  far  beyond  his  income,  that  it  be- 
came necessary  to  provide  some  remedy.  The 
relief  was  .instantly  afforded.  He  said  with  pious 
gratitude,  "  Never  have  I  seen  so  much  of  the 
kindness  of  Providence.  He  has  raised  up  friends 
unsought,  and  indeed  unheard  of,  especially  a 
French  merchant  at  Plymouth.  The  heads  of 
my  people  came  generously  forward  to  consult, 
and  offer  their  help  to  raise  my  salary.  They 
have  already,  this  last  quarter,  raised  it  consider- 
ably, and  laid  such  a  scheme  to  be  pursued  for 
the  future,  as  will  be  much  for  its  augmentation. 
The  young  people,  both  men  and  women,  have 
made  a  handsome  subscription."  Who  w^ould 
not  regret  to  see  such  a  heart  as  Mr.  Darracott 
possessed,  distressed  and  withdrawn  from  his 
nobler  pursuits  by  worldly  cares.'' 


84  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

At  this  period  of  his  life,  he  undertook  the 
painful  task  of  travelling  to  collect  money,  in 
order  to  defray  the  expenses  of  enlarging  the 
place  of  worship  in  which  he  preached.  The  task, 
however,  was  rendered  less  odious  to  him  than  it 
has  proved  to  many,  by  the  general  prepossession 
in  his  favour,  which  the  extraordinary  success  of 
his  ministry  had  produced. 

He  wrote  thus  to  his  friends  at  home  :  "  God 
has  wonderfully  succeeded  me.  You  will  be  sur- 
prised to  hear  what  God  has  wrought  !  What 
may  we  not  expect,  when  the  Lord  is  on  our  side  ! 
In  Bristol,  cases  are  so  frequent,  that  it  was 
thought  I  should  get  little  :  but  the  enlargement 
of  a  house,  by  reason  of  so  many  coming  from  the 
established  church,  is  a  thing  so  peculiar  at  this 
time,  especially  when  the  dissenting  interest  in 
most  places  is  sinking,  that  many  give  to  it,  who 
had  resolved  to  give  no  more.  Indeed  the  case, 
perhaps,  has  not  its  like  in  the  nation  :  about  two 
hundred  come  to  the  place,  more  than  when  I 
first  came,  and  nearly  one  hundred  and  twenty 
communicants  are  added  to  it  in  seven  years." 

Those  cases  which  were  then  interesting  by 
their  rarity,  are  now  happily  very  frequent,  so  that 
they  fail  to  attract  attention  in  consequence  of 
their  perpetual  recurrence.  To  the  letter  of 
Darracott,  his  biographer  would  contrast  one 
lately  received  from  a  valued  friend.  "  I  am  just 
returned  from  a  missionary  journey.  It  gave  me 
great  pleasure  to  observe,  that  in  almost  every 
place,  the  congregations  are   flourishing,  both  at 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  85 

to  religion  and  numbers  ;  and  that  the  ministers 
are  active.  In  some  places,  they  had  lately  been 
enlarging,    and  in  others,  were  now    enlarging 

their   places  of  worship.     Mr.  D ,  at  H , 

has,  in  twenty  years,  raised  from  the  foundation,  a 
congregation  of  eight  hundred  people.  Village- 
preaching  was  the    grand    instrument.     Out  of 

his  has  sprung  another   congregation  at  C ,  a 

village  about  six  miles   distant,  which  has  now  a 

minister  of  its  own.     At    W ,   in    Norfolk, 

where,  four  or  five  years  ago,  there  were  not 
three  hundred  people,  I  assisted  at  the  opening 
after  an  enlargement,  which  will  contain  five 
hundred   ihore.     This  has  been  by  the   ministry 

of  Mr.  A ,  a  young  man,  in  the  space  of  three 

years.     Mr.  C ,  of  A ,  is  enlarging  his 

place  to  hold  two  hundred  and  fifty  more,  which 

is  the  utmost  extent  of  their  ground.     Mr.  S , 

of  C ,  is   enlarging   his   too.      Mr.  D ,  of 

B ,  is  a  very  efficient  minister.  The  congre- 
gation has  been  doubled  in  his  time,  and  a  new 
place  of  worship  built,  which  will  contain  eight 
hundred  people.  These  things  shew  us  what 
may  be  done,  and  furnish  powerful  motives  to 
increased  exertions  for  extending  the  boundaries 
of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  Stir  up  all  your 
neighbours  to  seek  the  like  things  in  their  con- 
gregations." Happy  are  your  eyes  that  they  see, 
what  Darracott,  with  many  other  excellent  men, 
desired  to  see  but  saw  not. 

Mr.  Darracott's  enlarged  heart,  which  panted 
for  the    salvation  of  men  to  the    ends  of   the 
8 


86  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

earth,  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  triumphs  of 
religion  wherever  it  was  enjoyed,  and  by  what- 
ever instrument  it  was  produced.  This  intro- 
duced him  to  the  acquaintance  of  all  the  most 
honoured  servants  of  Christ  in  his  day  ;  and  early 
in  the  year  1750,  he  received  a  visit  from  the 
apostolic  Whitefield,  who  was  then  on  his  way  to 
embark  for  America. 

In  a  letter  to  Lady  Huntingdon,  Whitefield  says, 
"  at  Wellington,  I  lay  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Darra- 
cott,  a  flaming  successful  preacher  of  the  gospel, 
and  who,  I  think,  may  justly  be  styled  The  Star  in" 
THE  West.      He  hath  suffered  much  reproach,  the 
common  lot  of  all  that  are    owned  in  the    Lord's 
vineyard,  and,  in  the   space  of  three    months,  he 
hath  lost  three  lovely  children  ;  two  of  them  died, 
the  Saturday   evening   before  the   sacrament  was 
to  be  administered.      But  weeping  did  not  hinder 
sowing,  he  preached    the  next  day,  and    adminis- 
tered as  usual  :  our  Lord  strengthened  him,  and, 
for  his   three   children,   hath    given    him    above 
thirty  spiritual    ones,  and  he  is  in  a  likely  way  of 
many  more.     He  hath  ventured  his  all  for  Christ, 
and  last  week  a  saint   died,  who  left  him  and  his 
heirs  two  hundred  pounds  in  land.      Did  ever  any 
one  trust  in  the  Lord  and   was   forsaken  ?  At  his 
place,  I  began  to  take  the  field  for  the  spring. 
At  a  very  short  warning  a  multitude  of    souls 
assembled,    and  the  bread  of  life,  that  cometh 
down  from  heaven,  was  dispensed  amongst  them." 
Of  this  visit  Mr.  Darracott   sent  the  following 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  87 

narrative  to  his  kind  friends  at  Poundsford   Park, 
near  Taunton. 

"  Wellington,  JVov.  7. 
"  Dear  and  much-esteemed  Madam, 

"  I  send  this  to  you,  assured  that  to  your 
spirit  and  temper  nothing  is  so  grateful  as  to  hear 
of  the  prosperity  of  our  dear  Lord's  kingdom  ; 
and  of  this  I  bless  God  I  can  now  write  you,  in 
the  remarkable  entrance  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
give  to  his  eminent  servant,  the  Rev.  Mr.  White- 
field,  lately  amongst  us.  He  came  hither,  last 
Saturday  was  fortnight,  with  a  design  of  going 
on  to  Exeter  that  day.  But  we  entreated  him 
to  stay ;  at  length  he  inclined  to,  on  which 
I  immediately  gave  notice  that  he  would  preach 
in  the  evening,  at  six  o'clock  in  my  meeting- 
house ;  and  though  it  was  a  very  rainy  day,  and 
the  notice  but  short,  the  house  was  so  crowded, 
even  at  the  doors  and  windows,  that  at  the  lowest 
computation  there  was  a  thousand  people.  Such 
a  crowd,  with  the  profound  silence  and  the  lights 
we  had  in  the  house,  made  it  solemn.  But  to 
see  how  the  people  were  melted  all  in  tears,  was 
more  affecting. 

"  He  preached  from  those  words,  «  Beginning, 
at  Jerusalem,'  which  was  the  charge  our  Saviour 
gave  his  apostles,  when  he  sent  them  forth  into 
all  nations  to  preach  his  gospel,  that  they  should 
first  preach  it  in  Jerusalem,  that  wicked  city,  and 
make  the  first  offer  of  pardon  through  his  blood, 
to  those  vile  miscreants  that  had  so  lately  shed  it. 


88  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

From  whence  he  drew  this  proposition,  "  that  the 
dear  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  have  the  vilest 
sinners  to  be  saved,"  and  applied  it  in  such  a 
moving  manner,  as  melted  down  some  of  the 
most  stout-hearted  sinners  there.  I  hope  it  was 
the  Lord's  passover  night,  when  many  consciences 
were  sprinkled  with  his  precious  blood. 

"  However,  it  was  but  the  earnest  of  greater 
things  done  on  the  following  Sabbath.  Mr. 
Whitefield  gave  out  that  he  would  preach  the 
next  day,  at  eight  in  the  morning,  and  at  four  in 
the  afternoon.  Because  he  would  not  interfere 
with  the  public  worship  any  where  ;  and  though 
it  was  so  early  the  next  morning,  there  were 
hundreds  stood  at  the  doors  and  windows,  who 
could  not  get  in.  He  preached  a  sermon  from 
those  words  of  our  Lord's  to  the  blind  man  whom 
he  cured  of  his  blindness,  *  Dost  thou  believe  on 
the  Son  of  God  ?'  which  seemed  to  affect  the 
people,  and  especially  those  of  the  richer  sort, 
more  than  that  in  the  evening  ;  at  four,  he 
preached  again  from  those  words,  '  Old  things 
are  passed  away,  and  all  things  are  become  new,' 
when  there  was  such  a  concourse  of  people  came 
together,  that  he  was  obliged  to  preach  in  a  field 
adjacent  to  the  meeting-house.  There  was  then 
thought  to  be  four  thousand  people,  and  still  the 
greatest  reverence  and  seriousness  I  ever  saw  in 
any  of  our  public  assemblies,  and  the  word  came 
with  such  power  that,  look  where  I  would,  I  saw 
people  affected. 

'«  Surely  the  Lord  God  is  with  this  servant  of 


MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT.  89 

his,  or  else  whence  this  power  in  his  preaching  ? 
was  it  ever  known  that  any  mere  man  could  open 
a  sinner's  heart,  and  melt  down  the  obstinate 
will  ?  When  men  are  pinched  to  the  heart,  and 
cry  out,  '  what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?'  is  this  the 
effect  of  any  human  power  ?  No,  Lord,  this  is 
thy  own  doing,  for  '  'tis  marvellous  in  our  eyes,' 
and  to  thee  we  give  the  glory,  while  we  are  re- 
joicing in  the  instrument.  For  my  own  part,  I 
am  not  afraid  to  say  I  received  him  as  an  angel 
of  the  Lord  ;  I  felt  myself  strengthened  by  him, 
and  enjoyed  the  sweetest  Sabbath  in  all  my  life, 
in  my  joint  work  with  him..  I  preached,  at  our 
usual  time,  to  a  greater  number  than  ever  before, 
and  I  think  with  more  power  and  success.  I  only 
add,  our  w^hole  tov/n  seemed  highly  delighted  with 
him,  and  scarce  any,  openly  at  least,  speak  against 
him.  My  dear  wne,  who  vras  once  prejudiced 
again^st  him,  thinks  now  she  loves  him  more  than 
I  do.  He  is,  I  believe,  now  at  Bideford.  I  wish  you 
could  see  him,  I  am  sure  you  would  immediately 
discern  that  spirit  in  him,  wiiich  would  make  you 
value  him.  I  expect  him  a  longer  time  in  his 
return  from  the  west,  v/hen  he  will  go  to  Taun- 
ton, whither  Mr.  Fawcett  has  invited  him.  And 
may  God  open  for  him  a  large  door  there,  and 
wherever  he  preaches  the  gospel." 

Such  scenes  as  Mr.  Darracott  here  records, 
would  have  made  ordinary  minds  jealous.  But 
eminent  piety  produces  true  magnarximity.  The 
voice  of  heaven  pronounced   John   Baptist,   the 

8* 


f 


i 

90  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

greatest  that  ever  was  born  of  woman,  and  he  it 
was  who  saw  the  rising  honours  of  his  successor 
with  unenvying  complacency,  saying,  "  he  must 
increase,  but  I  must  decrease.  The  man  who  is 
truly  awake  to  the  divine  glory,  and  the  interests 
of  the  church,  will  exult  in  seeing  these  objects 
secured,  though  it  may  be  by  means  which 
will  eclipse  his  fame.  The  language  of  our 
hearts  should  be,  perish  the  honour  of  the 
creature,  live  the  glory  of  the  Saviour. 

But  the  sight  exhibited,  in  the  burying-ground 
adjoining  to  Mr.  Darracott's  place  of  worship, 
where  the  faithful  pastor  was  seen  sitting  at  the 
feet  of  one  whom  he  had  invited  to  preach  to  the 
flock,  in  the  hope,  that  the  stranger  would  succeed 
where  he  had  failed,  was  supremely  honourable  to 
him,  who  sacrificed  his  own  importance  to  their 
salvation.  While  many,  who  stood  aloof  from 
Whitefield,  and  nibbled  at  his  fame,  saw  their  own 
glory  lost,  in  the  ruin  of  their  congregations  ; 
Darracott  enjoyed,  in  the  prosperity  of  his  flock, 
the  highest  honour  and  delight,  next  to  the  ap- 
probation of  God.  Thus  the  Saviour  says,  "  Him 
that  honoureth  me,  I  will  honour,  and  th©y  that 
despise  me,  shall  be  lightly  esteemed ;"  for  if  we 
take  care  of  Christ's  honour,  he  will  take  care 
of  ours. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  following  year,  1751,  he 
received  ^  visit  from  another  eminent  man,  in 
very  different  circumstances.  Dr.  Doddridge 
his  revered  tutor,  who  was  now  on  the  verge  of 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARftACOTT.  91 

the  grave,  being  advised  to  take  a  voyage  to 
Lisbon,  spent,  on  his  way  to  Falmouth,  a  day 
v^^ith  his  beloved  pupil.  Mr.  Darracott  was  the 
last  friend  he  visited  in  his  native  country,  and 
it  may  be  easily  conceived  that  the  sight  of  such 
a  disciple,  in  the  zenith  of  his  usefulness,  af- 
forded exquisite  delight  to  him  who  had  trained 
him  up  for  the  ministry.  The  Doctor  had 
indeed,  been  accustomed  to  call  the  minister  of 
Wellington  "  his  crown  of  rejoicing,"  and  others 
had  revered  the  tutor  for  the  sake  of  the  pupil. 
Mr.  Walker,  of  Truro,  once  wrote  to  Mr.  Darra-» 
cott  thus :  "  I  have  not  your  warm  heart  : 
Doddridge  was  not  my  tutor.  Dear  man  !  I  love 
him  more,  since  I  have  known  you." 

Mr.  Darracott  on  a  review  of  this  visit,  ex- 
claimed, "  Dear  worthy  man  !  How  shall  I  men- 
tion him  in  the  circumstances  in  which  he  is  ? 
Ever  since  he  was  here,  my  thoughts  have  fol- 
lowed him.  He  came  here,  Sept.  22,  in  the 
evening,  and  went  away  next  morning,  about 
ten.  He  had  a  delightful  Sabbath,  he  told  me  ; 
he  heard  dear  Mr.  Pearsall  in  the  morning,  and 
then  took  his  leave  of  public  ordinances  with 
these  words  (Ps.  xlii.  4.),  and  wept  much.  The 
morning  he  left  us,  he  was  in  a  happy  frame, 
and  had  joys,  which  he  said  were  even  too  great 
for  his  feeble  body  to  sustain.  He  seemed 
weaker  than  when  I  left  him  at  Bideford  ;  most 
thought  he  would  not  be  able  to  bear  the  voyage  ; 
however  he  has  now  tried  it.  He  got  to  Falmouth, 
on  Saturday,  about  seven  in  the  evening,  and  on 


92  MEMOIRS    01*    DARRACOTT. 

'  the  Monday  morning,  he  went  on  board.  His 
servant  told  me  he  was  very  weak  still,  and  took 
leave  of  him  as  if  he  should  see  him  no  more." 
Of  the  death  of  his  tutor,  Mr.  Darracott  was 
speedily  informed  by  a  letter  from  Dr.  Cantley, 
his  physician,  at  Lisbon. 

The  friendship  between  these  two  devoted 
servants  of  Christ,  was  highly  honourable  to  both. 
Darracott  paid  a  willing  homage  to  the  literary 
eminence  of  his  tutor  ;  who  felt  himself  honoured 
and    blessed    in   the  superior    usefulness    of  this 

'favourite  pupil.  Very  lovely  and  pleasant  were 
they  in  their  lives,  and  in  death  they  were  not 
long  divided.  For,  though  Doddridge  consoled 
himself  in  the  prospect  of  death,  with  the  hope 
that  one  whom  he  had  trained  up  for  the  ministry, 
would  long  survive  him  to  carry  on  the  work, 
now  dropping  from  his  tremulous  hands,  it 
seemed  good  to  Him,  who  forms  polished  instru- 
ments, but  can  do  without  them,  to  call  away 
Darracott,  soon  to  rejoin  his  honoured  friend  in 
the  mansions  of  immortal  bliss. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1752,  Mr,  Darracott 
paid  a  visit  to  Kidderminster,  where  his  old 
friend  and  fellow-student,  Mr.  Fawcett  had  suc- 
ceeded to  the  charge  of  the  church,  founded  by 
Richard  Baxter.  These  two  brethren  in  work 
and  in  spirit,  exchanged,  for  the  mutual  edification 
of  their  respective  charges.  Mr.  Darracott  was 
welcomed  to  the  house  of  his  affectionate  corres- 
pondent, Joseph  Williams,  with    an  ardour  which 


MEMOIRS    OP    DARRACOTT.  93 

will  be  best  expressed  by  himself.     In  a  letter  to 
Mrs.  Darracott,  he  says, 

"  Kidderminster,  March  25,  1752. 
"  Dear  Madam, 

"As  what  I  shall  say  will  cost  you  nothing,  it 
is  an  inducement  to  put  pen  to  paper,  and  try  to 
say  something  to  whom  I  owe  so  much  obligation, 
which  otherwise  would  be  a  dear  groat's  worth. 
I  was  deeply  in  debt  before,  which  is  now  swelled 
to  a  mighty  sum,  by  the  valuable  and  important 
loan  you  so  readily,  so  cheerfully,  have  lent  us, 
and,  though  but  for  a  few  weeks,  at  the  expense 
of  so  much  self-denial.  I  scarcely  knew  another 
man  upon  earth,  since  the  dear  Dr.  Doddridge 
is  gone  to  heaven,  at  least  not  another  in  Europe, 
since  dear  Mr.  Whitefield  is  gone  to  America, 
who  merits  so  cordial  a  welcome  to  my  house, 
my  arms,  my  heart,  or  who  could  impart  to  me, 
by  his  presence,  so  much  pious  joy,  as  dear  Mr. 
Darracott :  and  yet,  through  the  smiles  of  an 
indulgent  Providence,  I  am  not  destitute  of 
many  very  dear  and  desirable  Christian  friends. 
Nor  yet  do  I  know  the  minister,  who,  in  the 
absence  of  our  dear  pastor,  is  more  esteemed 
and  beloved  by  the  body  of  our  society,  at  least, 
the  more  serious  part  of  them.  My  joy  is 
still  increased,  by  the  daily  accession  of  joy  he 
inspires  into  the  breast  of  my  dear  other  self, 
and  Miss  Molly  Darracott,  yea,  and  into  every 
servant. 

"  Nor  can  I  imagine,  that  an  angel  from  heaven, 
should  one  of  the  shining  host  deign,  in  a  visible 


94  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

form,  to  visit  my  habitation,  could  be  so  agree- 
able a  guest,  for  he  would  rather  terrify  than 
cheer  me  by  his  presence,  whereas  this  dear  man 
diffuses  a  constant  serenity  and  joy  all  around 
him.  Before  he  came,  my  joy  was  full,  and  not 
a  little  increased  by  my  dear  Theodosia,  hea- 
ven's last  best  gift ;  but  now  indeed  I  have,  to 
use  our  blessed  Saviour's  words,  '  good  measure 
pressed  down,  and  running  over,'  given  into  my 
bosom. 

"  I  am  hereby  led  to  think — O  what  will  the 
society  of  heaven  be  !  No  doubt  the  love  and 
favour  of  God,  the  smiles  of  the  glorious  Ema- 
nuel, will  be  the  heaven  of  heaven  ;  and  yet  the 
society  of  glorious  angels,  and  perfected  spirits 
of  just  men,  affords  a  delicious  prospect.  O 
what  will  it  be,  to  be  called  unto  the  marriage- 
supper  of  the  Lamb  1  What  will  it  be  to  sit 
down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  with 
Moses,  David,  Paul,  Peter,  John,  Baxter,  Dod- 
dridge, the  general  assembly,  and  church  of  the 
first-born  in  the  kingdom  of  our  Father  !  There 
my  dear  Darracott,  my  late  dear  Phebe,  my  pre- 
sent dear  Jane,  and  you  and  I,  and  numbers  of 
our  dearest  friends  who  are  gone  before,  or  will 
follow  after,  shall  enjoy  one  another's  company 
in  such  a  manner,  and  to  such  advantage,  as  in 
the  present  state,  we  neither  can  conceive  nor 
sustain.  Haste  that  dear  day,  when  there  shall 
be  no  more  death,  nor  sorrow,  nor  crying,  nor 
any  more  pain  ! 

"  But  my   time   is  filled  up,  before  my  paper. 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  95 

May  these  find  you,  dear  madam,  walking  in  the 
comforts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  are  daily  walking 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  May  that  heavenly  guest 
abundantly  make  up  the  sweetness  and  joy,  which 
the  absence  of  your  dearest  earthly  comforter 
must  needs  subtract.  May  his  presence  and  soft 
whispers  cheer  you  night  and  day,  and  guardian 
angels  make  you  and  yours  their  daily  care. 
Above,  or  amidst  all,  may  the  grace  of  Him  that 
hung  on  the  tree  be  with  your  spirit.  In  him  I 
am,  with  tenders  of  dear  respect,  and  under  man- 
ifold obligations,  dear  madam,  your  obliged  hum- 
ble servant, 

"  Joseph  Williams." 

The  laborious  application  of  mind  required  to 
preach  incessantly  to  the  same  people,  made  it 
necessary  for  Mr.  Darracottto  seek  the  relaxation 
produced  by  a  change  of  scene,  which  admitted  of 
preaching  sermons  already  composed,  to  an  au- 
dience to  whom  they  would  be  new.  When 
such  measures  are  adopted,  with  a  view  to  the 
Redeemer's  service  and  the  edification  of  his 
church,  they  are  eminently  conducive  to  the  use- 
fulness of  ministers.  The  mind,  which,  by  the 
perpetual  recurrence  of  the  same  scenes  and 
duties,  was  beginning  to  lose  its  elasticity,  feels 
additional  stimulus  in  a  new  circle  ;  and  the  man 
who,  adding  the  charm  of  novelty  to  that  of  emi- 
nence, attracted  attention  at  Kidderminster,  re- 
turned again  to  Wellington,  to  appear  at  once  a 
new  preacher  and  an  old  friend. 


96  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

But  the  relaxation  of  Mr.  Darracott  was  not 
idleness.  He  passed  his  time  at  Kidderminster, 
not  in  festive  entertainments,  which  afford  fewer 
pleasures  than  regrets,  but  in  more  abundant  and 
diversified  labours  for  the  welfare  of  his  fellow- 
men,  which  made  his  appear  "  like  angel  visits 
short  and  far  between."  That  this  visit  to  Kid- 
derminster was  eminently  useful,  he  was  after- 
wards informed  by  some  delightful  letters  ;  and 
on  his  return  home,  he  adopted  several  of  the 
plans,  of  which  he  had  seen  the  success  in  the 
congregation  of  his  friend.  For,  instead  of 
returning  to  his  own  charge,  dissatisfied  with  his 
lot,  hankering  after  other  scenes,  and  indisposed 
to  the  cheerful,  vigorous  discharge  of  his  constant 
duties,  Mr.  Darracott  appeared  as  "  a  giant 
refreshed,  rejoicing  as  a  strong  man  to  run 
his  race." 

Two  causes  of  uneasiness,  however,  soon  arose 
to  disturb  both  the  pastor  and  the  flock.  Mr. 
Darracott's  growiwg  family  was  but  slenderly 
provided  for,  by  the  congregation  at  Wellington, 
and  his  reputation  attracted  invitations  from  other 
churches.  Thus  his  own  mind  was  embarrassed, 
both  by  the  difficulty  of  providing  for  those  who 
were  dear  to  him,  and  by  the  uncertainty  which 
he  felt  concerning  the  path  of  duty ;  while  his 
flock  was  alarmed  at  the  prospect  of  losing  one 
bound  to  them  by  so  many  ties,  and  whose  place 
it  would  be  so  difficult  to  fill. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year,  1751,  the  pressing 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  97 

invitation  of  the  church  at  South  Petherton  ex- 
cited most  serious  consideration,  in  consequence 
of  the  straitened  circumstances  of  his  increas- 
ing family.  It  appears  that  he  consulted  a  lay 
friend,  who  wrote  him  the  following  letter,  after 
haying  freely  expressed  his  opinion  concerning 
the  proposed  removal. 

'' London,  Dec.  14,  1751. 
"  Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 

"  It  gives  me  a  sensible  pleasure  that  you 
took  so  kindly  what  I  wrote,  though  in  a  stron- 
ger light  than  I  intended  it,  for  I  am  fully  per- 
suaded you  have  not  so  learned  Christ ;  but, 
nevertheless,  it  is  ordained  they  that  preach  the 
gospel  should  live  by  the  gospel  ;  and  where  a 
large  family  has  not  a  sufficient  provision,  it 
cannot  fail  to  oppress  a  poor  minister's  spirits, 
and  create  him  numberless  anxieties  to  harass 
his  mind,  and  weaken  his  hands,  in  his  Master's 
work ;  and  as  I  feared  this  was  the  case  with 
you,  I  proposed  the  remedy  which  you  so  mod- 
estly refuse  ;  but  if  you  fall  under  any  difficul- 
ties, pray  don't  be  guilty  of  a  culpable  modesty 
in  concealing  it  from  me. 

"  Oh,  sir  ;  you  have  been  used  to  such  a  plen- 
tiful harvest,  you  cannot  tell  how  to  bear  a  scan- 
ty crop  !  Many,  very  many  churches  may  say  to 
you,  as  Gideon  did  of  the  Ephraimites,  *  is  not 
the  gleaning  of  the  grapes  of  Ephraim  better 
than  the  vintage  of  Abiezer  ?'  Be  not,  therefore, 
discouraged,  for  that  would  be  as  when  a  stand- 
ard-bearer fainteth ;  but  pursue  the  excellent 
9 


98  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

method  you  are  in,  even  plying  the  throne  of 
grace,  and  God  has  promised,  at  evening  time  it 
shall  be  light. 

"  Your  ardent  breathings  after  the  conversion 
of  souls  is  certainly  not  only  lawful,  but  lauda- 
ble, and  may  what  you  have  heard  of  your  suc- 
cess at  Kidderminster,  be  only  as  the  earnest  of 
what  you  are  still  to  be  favoured  with. 

"  I  am  in  no  apprehension  that  you  can  part 
with,  or  be  indifferent  about,  the  great  truths  of 
the  gospel,  of  which  you  have  tasted  the  sweet- 
ness, and  felt  the  power  in  your  own  soul  ;  but  I 
know  sometimes  the  sweetness  of  temper  you  are 
possessed  of,  may,  in  such  a  manner,  sheath  your 
zeal  as  to  make  a  rejecter  of  the  truth,  flatter 
himself  you  are  not  so  sensible  as  you  really  are 
of  its  importance  ;  and  therefore  you  will  forgive 
me,  that  I  gave  you  the  caution. — What  you  did 
say  I  never  heard  ;  but  a  person,  who  is  both 
an  Arminian  and  Arian,  admired  your  charity 
both  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit  :  and,  not  to  have 
given  you  a  hint  of  it,  would  have  been  unfaith- 
fulness to  our  common  Lord,  and  to  you  his 
faithful  minister. 

"  Nothing  is  more  abused  than  the  word  cha- 
rity, nor  more  violently  forced  into  the  service 
of  error.  Whenever,  therefore,  1  hear  it  used  by 
persons  that  oppose  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  I 
esteem  it  as  a  watch-word,  to  put  me  on  my 
guard  :  no  wonder,  then,  I  gave  you  the  alarm. 
You  really  have  w-armed  my  heart  with  the 
tweet,    judicious,    and    savoury   model   of  your 


MEMOIRS     OF     DAKKACOTT.  99 

preaching,  which  you  exhibit  in  your  last,  writ- 
ten like  a  man  vvho  feels  every  sentiment  of  the 
freeness  and  riches  of  divine  grace,  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  feast  his  very  soul,  and  thus  effec- 
tually to  raise  him  ab«ive  all  the  frowns  and  dis- 
couragements a  carnal  world  or  lifeless  profes- 
sors can  cast  upon  him.  May  you  every  day  be 
more  and  more  invigorated,  by  an  abundant  in- 
crease of  such  spiritual  sensations  ;  which  the 
world  know  nothing  of,  and    therefore   reproach. 

"  If  you  have  some  such  worldly  hearers,  the 
greater  will  the  danger  be  of  the  serious  Christian 
being  starved  by  your  removal,  which  must  be 
the  case,  if  the  former  have  any  influence  in 
choosing  your  successor.  May  infinite  Wisdom 
direct  and  determine  your  resolution  ! 

"  I  shall  not  forget  your  friend,  and  by  remem- 
brance of  me  and  mine,  at  the  throne  of  grace, 
you  continually  lay  a  fresh  obligation  upon,  dear 
sir,  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

"  Dennys  De  Berdt." 

This  letter  deserves  high  commendation.  So 
pernicious  consequences  had  followed  from  the 
indulgence  of  a  false  candour,  that  it  behoved  all 
who  were  solicitous  for  the  glory  of  Christ,  and 
the  dearest  interest  of  men,  to  watch  against  it 
with  jealous  care.  The  soul  of  Darracott,  indeed, 
was  exposed  to  the  appearance,  only  by  that  which 
preserved  him  from  the  reality  of  indifference  to 
the  orthodox  creed — a  heart  absorbed  in  solici- 
tude for  the  conversion  of  souls.     This,  however, 


100  MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT. 

rendered  his  friend's  alarm  not  less  justifiable  or 
commendable. 

The  christian  in  private  life,  who  expresses  to 
a  minister  in  a  serious  affectionate  manner,  the 
fears  entertained  concerning  his  sentiments  and 
spirits,  may  do  good  upon  a  grand  scale  ;  for  he  may, 
through  the  shepherd,  benefit  the  whole  flock. 
The  minister  who  does  not  immediately  welcome 
such  hints,  is  most  likely  to  need  them  ;  and  he 
who  at  first  may  spurn  at  the  counsel,  may,  on 
reflection,  see  its  wisdom,  and  exclaim  with  gra- 
titude, *'  faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend." 

The  opinion  of  the  good  man  concerning  Mr, 
Darracott's  removal  would  not  have  been  equally 
judicious,  had  he  not  himself  contributed  to  ren- 
der it  so  by  assisting  to  maintain  his  family  at 
Wellington.  Mr.  Darracott  had  sunken  some 
hundreds  of  his  own  private  property,  since  he  had 
resided  at  Wellington,  and  was  now  in  some 
embarrassment.  A  friend,  to  whom  he  had  made 
a  disclosure  of  his  affairs,  immediately  applied  to 
that  valuable  institution  in  London,  known  to 
dissenters  by  the  name  of  the  Fund  Board,  which 
immediately  voted  him  five  pounds  as  an  annual 
addition  to  his  salary.  This,  with  the  contribu- 
tions of  private  friends,  enabled  him  to  extricate 
himself  from  his  embarrassments. 

His  difficulties  returned  indeed,  as  did  the  in- 
vitations of  destitute  churches.  But,  though  he 
never  could  resolve  to  leave  a  scene  of  so  much 
usefulness  ;  the  claims  of  a  delicate  wife  and  ris- 
ing family    induced  him  at  one  time  to  think  of 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  101 

keeping  a  school.  That  this  scheme  was  aban- 
doned should  excite  neither  surprise  nor  regret* 
His  ardent  devotional  soul  bounded  oft'  frcjm  the 
instruction  of  youth  in  the  rudiments  of  human 
learning,  to  lead  the  souls  of  men  into  the  heights 
and  depths  of  redeeming  love.  And  if  he  hesi- 
tated to  leave  Wellington,  lest  he  should  not  be 
60  useful  elsewhere ;  was  it  not  equally  to  be 
feared  that  the  diminution  of  his  time  for  pasto- 
ral studies  and  labours  might  injure  the  tone  of 
his  mind,  and  make  a  proportionable  reduction 
from  his  success  in  the  ministry. 

If  some  change  was  necessary,  his  removal 
should  have  been  preferred.  To  turn  to  secular 
pursuits  is  to  take  away  one  half  of  the  minister 
from  his  present  charge,  and  from  the  service  of 
religion  ;  but  to  remove  to  another  and  a  larger 
sphere,  is  to  give  him  more  entirely  to  Christ  and 
his  church. 

To  have  seen  Darracott  turn  from  employing 
his  powers  almost  day  and  night,  in  devising  or 
executing  schemes  for  the  salvation  of  men,  to 
the  business  of  a  school,  which  would  have  left 
him  but  a  few  fragments  of  time  to  employ  with 
exhausted  faculties  in  the  exercises  dearest  to  his 
heart,  would  have  been  intolerable  ;  but  to  have 
beheld  him  in  a  new  and  enlarged  sphere,  with 
unembarrassed  mind  and  undiminished  ardour, 
employing  all  his  powers  for  Christ,  would  have 
been  delightful  to  every  impartial  eye,  though  it 
might  have  been  attended  with  some  pains  to  the 
people  of  his  former  charge. 
9* 


102  MEMOIRS  OF  DARRACOTT* 

From    this   lime,    however,   he    laboured  with 
increased   success   at  Wellington.     He   seemed 
almost  afraid    and  ashamed  to  speak  of  his  pros- 
perity,   but   could    not   iiide  the  divine  goodness 
within    his   grateful    heart.      *'  I  have  nothing  to 
boast  of,"   he  says,   <'  being  a  poor,  vile,  unprofit- 
able   servant.      Yet   I   must    own    that    God   is 
deigning  to   favour  me    abundantly.      I  have  not 
preached  for  some  time,  but  in  demonstration  of 
the    Spirit  and  in   power.      Fresh    seals  are  con- 
tinually given  to  my  ministry."      Every  month  he 
received    some   into   the    church,  and   proposed 
others  to  its  communion.     At  one  time,  the  whole 
congregation   v/ere    under    serious    impressions. 
This  is  what,  perhaps,  scarcely  any  other  minister 
in  England   has   been   able   to  say,  though  such 
scenes  have  not  been  rare  in  America. 

The  following  letter,  written  at  the  end  of  the 
year  17  53,  expresses  the  joy  of  his  heart  in  the 
care  of  Providence  to  his  family,  and  the  blessings 
which  crowned  his  ministry. 

t^  I  deserve,  my  dear  sir,  none  of  those  warm 
expressions  of  your  esteem,  and  least  of  all  do  I 
think  mys3lf  worthy  of  that  distinguishing  re- 
gard rny  God  is  showing  me,  in  the  dispensa- 
tions of  his  providence  ;  I  have  reason  to  say, 
with  peculiar  propriety,  '  what  am  I,  and  what  is 
my  father's  house,  that  God  should  be  pleased  to 
take  such  care  of  me.'  He  spreads  my  table 
daily,  and  supplies  my  every  want.  Many  a  kind 
friend  has  he  given  me,  among  vvhom  I  shall  ever 
gratefully  acknowledge  good  Mr.  W.     I  return 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  103 

you  my  hearty  thanks,  for  the  fresh  instance  of 
your  love,  which  your  present  letter  affords  me, 
and  desire  you  will  make  them  acceptable 
to  your  church,  at  the  next  meeting.  God  who 
is  rich  in  bounty,  plentifully  requite  it  to  you 
and  them. 

"  I  have  the  ple^isure  to  inform  you,  that  the 
church  here  still  continues  to  flourish,  and  God 
is  adding  to  us,  almost  every  month,  such  as  I 
hope  will  be  saved.  This  month  twelve  years, 
I  was  set  up  as  pastor,  since  which  time,  we 
have  admitted  two  hundred  communicants  want- 
ing two  ;  and  this  week  we  shall  take  in  three 
more,  and  propose  two,  and  many  more  are 
upon  the  threshold,  whom  I  hope  God  will 
bring  in.  I  never,  at  one  time,  saw  more  under 
a  serious  concern  of  soul  than  at  present ;  many 
have  lately  been  joined  to  us  from  the  established 
church,  and  appear  to  be  excellent  Christians. 
For  these  things,  join  with  us  in  giving  all  the 
glory  to  God  :  <'  neither  is  he  that  planteth  any 
thing,  nor  he  that  watereth."  The  sweet  concur- 
rence of  his  providence  and  grace  in  favour  of 
his  cause  and  interest  among  us,  is  what  I  adore, 
though  I  am  myself  nothing. 

At  this  time,  Mr.  Darracott  wrote  the  two  fol- 
lowing letters  to  a  friend.  "  A  serious  concern 
about  salvation  spreads  both  in  town  and  coun- 
try ;  and  some  very  profligate  and  abandoned 
sinners  are  deeply  struck.  We  have  set  up  a 
charity  school  in  a  village  four  miles  oflT.  One 
of  the  principal  persons  there,  having  been  lately 


104  MKMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

concerned  about  his  soul,  chiefly  by  reading  Dr. 
Doddridge's  "  Rise  and  Progress,"  and  some  ma- 
nuscript sermons  of  Mr.  Walker's,  has  felt  a  con- 
cern for  others  ;  and  being  a  single  man,  and  of 
gome  substance,  has  proposed  to  educate  a  few 
children.  We  have  now  about  thirty  children 
on  the  list,  and  I  have  great  hope  that  the  seeds 
of  piety  may  be  sown  in  their  minds,  and  that 
religion  may  enter  their  families,  and  take  hold 
of  the  ht;arts  of  the  parents  too.  I  go,  once  a 
fortnight,  lo  preach  a  lecture,  which  is  well  at- 
tended. I  am  going,  this  week,  to  catechise  the 
children,  wliich  I  shall  do  before  the  people,  in 
hopes  that  it  may  impress  them.  It  is  vvith  great 
joy  I  tell  you,  that  God  has  been  pleased  to  touch 
the  hearts  of  several  here,  since  I  wrote  you  last, 
one  of  the  most  notorious  profligates  in  the  place, 
and  some  more  reputable  characters. 

"  A  few  instances  of  success,  which  God  in 
the  riches  of  his  mercy,  has  lately  favoured  mo 
with,  have  comforted  me  greatly.  One  poor 
man,  particularly,  who,  from  the  grossest  igno- 
rance and  stupidity,  is  so  enlightened  in  the 
knowledge  of  Christ,  so  awakened  to  concern 
for  his  own  soul  and  for  others,  as  surprises  us  all  ; 
for,  a  little  while  ago,  he  could  not  read  aline, 
but  now,  after  vast  pains,  he  can  read  a  chapter 
in  the  Testament ;  nor  c^in  he  express  his  love  to 
that  book,  or  the  delight  he  feels  in  reading  it. 
The  trials  he  has  met  with  from  a  wicked  partner 
arc  exceedingly  great,  while  the  sweet,  humble, 
and  patient  spirit  with   which   he   bears   them  is 


MEMOIRS  OF  DARRACOTT.  105 

truly  wonderful.  He  has  brought  several  of  his 
comrades  to  our  private  meetings,  and  some  of 
them  appear  concerned. 

But  what  has  most  affected  my  heart,  is  the 
case  of  a  stranger  who  has  been  some  time  in 
these  parts.  He  is  a  young  person,  known  by 
the  name  of  Dr.  Vanghable  ;  he  was  born  at  Paris, 
and  is  by  education  a  Roman  Catholic.  He  has 
travelled  in  most  parts  of  Europe,  ^nd  has  been 
in  England  eleven  years  past.  He  was  tumbler, 
&c.  to  Smith,  a  mountebank  doctor,  and,  for  the 
two  last  years,  has  mounted  the  stage  for  himself. 
He  has  had  a  stage  here,  for  these  three  months, 
and  about  a  month  ago,  on  a  Lord's  day  evening, 
he  came  to  our  place  of  worship  ;  this  was  the 
first  time,  he  says,  he  was  ever  in  a  dissenting 
meeting-house.  I  was  then  preaching  on  the 
parable  of  the  lost  sheep,  under  which  sermon  he 
was  so  struck  that  he  could  not  conceal  it.  He 
came  the  next  evening,  and  was  more  affected 
still.  Upon  this,  I  wrote  him  a  letter,  and  gave 
him  an  invitation  to  my  house,  which  he  soon 
accepted.  I  was  with  him  alone,  nearly  tv/o  hours, 
and  prayed  with  him.  I  found  him  exceedingly 
ignorant,  yet  deeply  concerned  about  his  soul, 
desirous  to  know  what  to  do,  and  longing  to  leave 
his  present  way  of  life.  I  have  put  into  his  hands 
some  suitable  books,  which  he  reads  very  care- 
fully. 

He  has  attended  me  ever  since,  and  I  have  had 
a  second  interview  with  him,  by  which  I  learn 
that  his  concern  increases ;  and  yet,  I  cannot  but 


106  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

fear  greatly  for  him,  as  he  cannot  at  present  dis- 
engage himself  from  the  stage,  and  is  now  going 
from  us  into  Devonshire.  -  He  assures  ms,  how- 
ever, that  he  will  spend  a  Sabbath,  once  a  fortnight, 
with  m3.  His  deportment  on  the  stage,  and 
elsewhere,  is  quit!;  changed,  and  he  assures  me 
he  would  be  glad  to  leave  this  way  of  life,  could 
he  by  any  means  get  his  bread  ;  but  he  was  from 
his  infancy  brought  up  to  tumbling,  and  does  not 
know  what  to  turn  his  hand  to.  He  has  a  wife, 
who  is  a  great  snare  to  him  ;  mountains  of  ditli- 
culty  lie  in  the  way,  but  real  grace  will  make 
him  more  than  conqueror." 

In  such  scenes  as  these,  Mr.  Darracott  passed 
his  days  ;  for,  though  we  find  on  record  only  a 
few  singular  cases,  he  vvas  continually  enjoying 
such  tokens  of  the  divine  approbation  on  his 
labours.  His  heart  was  overwhelmed  with  de- 
light, and  he  gratefully  acknowledged  that  the 
Fountain  of  bliss  had  indulged  him  with  the  most 
exquisite  pleasures  below  the  skies.  Nor,  indeed, 
are  such  honours  given  to  any  who  undervalue 
them ;  for  they  who  would  taste  with  the  Saviour 
the  pre-eminent  delights  of  beneficence,  must, 
like  him,  be  ready  to  make  any  sacrifice  for 
this  object,  and  when  they  attain  it,  feel  satis- 
fied. 

In  the  year  1755,  Mr.  Darracott  published  his 
«  Scripture  marks  of  Salvation."  They  were 
originally  preached  as  sermons,  and,  having  prov- 
ed  very  uj^eful  to  many  of  his   hearers,   were  by 


MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT,  I  07 

them  requested  in  a  more  permanent  form,  that 
the  closet  might  revive  the  impressions  made  in 
the  church. 

This  little  pamphlet,  is  warm  with  the  devotion 
of  the  writer's  heart.  It  is  in  just  such  a  strain, 
as  we  might  suppose  distinguished  the  sermons, 
which  were  honoured  with  so  much  success. 
Thq  Saviour  and  his  Spirit  are  uppermost  in  the 
mind  of  this  writer,  who  turns  away  our  attention 
from  himself,  and  from  every  other  object,  to  fix 
our  whole  power  of  reflection  upon  our  own 
heart  and  conscience  ;  that  we  may  ascertain, 
whether  or  not  we  have  a  portion  in  the  Re- 
deemer's love.  This  publication  considerably  in- 
creased his  correspondence,  which  was  already 
so  extensive  as  to  occupy  a  large  portion  of  his 
time.  He  sent  the  "  Scripture  Marks"  into  many 
parts  of  England  and  Scotland;  for,  though  the 
modern  tracts  were  not  then  thought  of,  Mr. 
Darracott,  and  his  pious  contemporaries,  were 
diligent  in  distributing  cheap  books  o.i  the  most 
important  subjects. 

It  has  been  already  noticed,  that  Mr.  Darracott 
was  visited  with  afflictions,  as  a  counterpoise  to 
his  prosperity.  The  loss  of  three  children,  two 
of  them  in  one  day,  deeply  wounded  his  aflfec- 
tionate  heart.  He  was  called,  in  the  year  1756, 
to  resign  a  fourth  child  ;  on  which  occasion,  his 
friends,  who  knew  the  tenderness  of  his  feelings, 
strove  to  alleviate  his  sorrows  by  their  sympathy. 
Among  others,  his  old  college  companion,  Mr. 


108 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 


Pearsall,  of  Taunton,   wrote  him  a  letter   rich  in 
consolations.       His  own    devout  submission,  he 
expressed  in  the  following   lines   on  the  words  of    T 
David,  «'  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God." 

I. 

In  humble  duly  I  would  bow, 

My  God,  before  thy  feet  ; 
Convinc'd  whate'er  thou  dust  is  right,  , 

I  cheerfully  submit, 

IT. 

Thy  gifts  I  thankfully  would  own, 

As  altogether  free  ; 
And  what  thou  tak'st,  I  can't  dispute, 

Because  thou  gav'st  it  me. 

III. 

Bless'd  be  thy  name,  who  more  hast  given. 

Than  thou  wilt  ever  take  ; 
Thou  giv'st  in  covenant  thyself. 

Nor  wilt  this  cov'nant  break. 

IV. 

Assure  my  soul,  I  have  a  part 

In  such  a  lasting  bliss  ; 
Whatever  comfort  thou  wilt  take, 

I  can't  that  blessing  miss. 

V. 

Let  all  my  other  comforts  go. 

If  thou,  my  God,  remain  ; 
Happy  in  thee,  I'll  bear  the  loss. 

Without  a  moment's  pain. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  17  57,  the 
distresses  of  the  poor  affected  Mr.  Darracott  so 
powerfully,  that  he  exerted  himself  with  great 
zeal  in  their  behalf.  He  made  a  proposal  to  the 
principal  persons  in  the  town,  to  raise  a  subscrip- 
tion for  their  relief,  to  which  he  contributed 
himself   more   largely  than    his    own   straitened 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  109 

circumstances  seemed  to  justify.  The  subscrip- 
tion succeeded,  beyond  the  expectation  of  every 
one  ;  and  when  he  was  assisting  at  the  parish 
meeting  for  the  distribution  of  the  money,  he 
seized  the  opportunity  to  propose  a  society  for 
the  reformation  of  manners,  by  putting  into 
execution  the  laws  against  profaneness.  In  the 
speech  which  he  delivered  to  induce  the  meeting 
to  concur,  he  urged  the  state  of  the  nation,  which 
had  lately  called  for  a  general  fast,  to  avert  the 
judgments  of  heaven.  He  was  heard  with  pro-, 
found  attention,  and  his  proposal  was  unaniniously 
adopted. 

It  was  agreed  to  begin  with  executing  the  laws 
against  Sabbath-breaking.  An  abstract  of  these 
was  drawn  up,  and  fixed  on  the  doors  of  all 
the  places  of  worship,  concluding  with  these 
words.  "  Zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
honour  of  the  Sabbath,  love  to  our  king  and 
country,  and  desire  to  avert  the  divine  judgments 
from  us,  have  determined  the  churchwardens  and 
others  to  put  these  laws  into  execution  against 
all  persons  without  distinction,  whereof  they 
give  this  public  notice."  The  chief  men  of  the 
town  perambulated  the  streets  by  turns,  every 
Lord's  day,  to  watch  that  no  violation  of  the  law 
took  place. 

"  It  is  delightful,"  says  Mr.  Darracott,  "  to 
see  the  happy  effects  ;  places  of  public  worship 
crowded  ;  ale-houses  empty  ;  nothing  done  in  the 
shops  of  barbers  ;  no  idle  walkers  in  the  streets  ; 
but  an  air  of  solemnity  through  the  whole  town." 
10 


110  MEMOIRS    or    DARRACOTT. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  Sabbath,  after  adopt- 
ing these  new  measures,  Mr.  Darracott  preached 
on  the  words  of  Nehemiah,  "  Then  contended  I 
with  the  nobles  of  Judah,  and  said  to  them,  what 
evil  thing  is  this  that  ye  do,  and  profane  the  Sab- 
bath-day ?"  The  persons  who  were  appointed 
to  inspect  the  town,  took  with  them  "  Reynold's 
Compassionate  Address,"  which  they  left  in  ale- 
houses, and  places  of  evil  resort.  This  was  the 
best  part  of  their  proceedings  ;  for  vice  is  a  men- 
tal evil,  which  requires  moral  rather  than  physi- 
cal remedies.  All  human  laws  against  irreligion 
prove  like  spiders'  webs,  which  entangle  only  the 
smaller  flies,  while  the  great  offenders  burst 
through  them  with  impunity. 

About  this  time,  a  recruiting  serjeant  came 
into  the  town,  and,  being  a  native  of  Scotland, 
went  to  meeting.  While  Mr.  Darracott  was 
preaching  on  the  words  of  Jeremiah,  "  I  heark- 
ened and  heard,  but  they  spake  not  aright  :  no 
man  repented  him  of  his  wickedness,  saying, 
what  have  I  done  ?  every  one  turneth  to  his 
course  as  the  horse  rusheth  into  the  battle  ;"  the 
word  pierced  his  heart  with  intolerable  anguish, 
compelling  him  to  cry  aloud  "  what  have  I 
done  ?"  From  that  day  the  most  delightful 
change  was  manifest  in  all  his  tempers,  conver- 
sation, and  deportment. 

His  account  of  his  former  life  bore  a  striking 
resemblance  to  that  of  Colonel  Gardiner.  After 
a  pious  education,  he  had  rushed  into  the  paths 
of  sin,  and  entered  the  army   when  he  was  only 


MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT.  Ill 

fourteen  years  old.  He  had  been  six  and  twen- 
ty years  in  the  military  life,  and  had  twice  seen 
his  regiment  cut  to  pieces  almost  to  a  man.  He 
had  also  narrowly  escaped  death  at  sea  many 
times.  But  all  the  dispensations  of  Providence, 
as  well  as  all  the  sermons  he  had  heard  (for, 
amidst  all  his  wickedness,  he  attended  at  public 
worship)  left  him  not  only  unchanged,  but  unim- 
pressed ;  so  that  he  used  to  say,  "  it  is  not  pos- 
sible for  any  thing  to  touch  my  heart." 

But  the  extraordinary  influence  of  the  Divine 
Spirit,  which  attended  Mr.  Darracott's  preaching, 
at  last  effected  the  mighty  task.  Swearing, 
drunkenness,  and  impious  defiance  of  heaven, 
were  at  once  exchanged  for  prayer,  praise,  strict- 
ness of  morals,  and  fervour  of  devotion.  He 
stayed  only  three  weeks  in  the  town ;  and  as  he 
earnestly  requested  to  be  admitted  to  communion 
with  the  church ;  they,  very  properly,  consented 
to  deviate  so  far  from  their  usual  practice  as  to 
receive  him,  upon  this  short  acquaintance.  The 
day  before  he  left  them,  he  sat  down  at  the 
Lord's  table,  to  the  great  edification  of  all  par- 
ties, who  exclaimed,  "  What  hath  God  wrought !" 
Mrv  Darracott  offered  up  for  him  a  parting  pray- 
er, when  the  poor  man  fell  on  the  neck  of  his 
father  in  Christ,  in  floods  of  tears,  blessing  God 
that  he  had  ever  seen  his  face. 

Shortly  after  this  occurrence,  Mr.  Darracott 
received  a  visit  from  Mr.  Walker,  of  Truro. 
This  pious  clergyman  came  to  see  the  good  work 
carrying  on    by    means   of  his    dissenting    bro- 


112  MEMOIRS     OF  DARRACOTT. 

ther,  and  to  warm  his  own  heart,  by  bringing  it 
near  one  which  was  a  flame  of  fire  in  the  Re- 
deemer's service.  How  much  he  was  delighted 
with  the  scene  which  he  beheld  at  Wellington, 
he  expressed  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Darracott,  on 
his  return. 

"  Truro,  Dec.  15,  1757. 
"  Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Why  is  his  letter  so  long  in  coming  ?  you 
have  been  saying.  He  has  not  forgotten  us. 
Perhaps  some  mischief  has  befallen  him  ;  he  is 
sick,  or  brought  into  trouble.  No  ;  the  Lord  be 
praised,  there  is  none  of  this.  But  my  people, 
my  dear  people,  they  had  not  seen  me  of  so  long 
a  season  ;  and  don't  you  think  they  had  much  to 
say  to  me,  and  I  to  them  !■  I  had  been  much 
reproved  in  my  absence^  for  the  coldness  of  my 
heart,  and  a  shameful  lifelessness  to  call  upon  the 
Lord  and  to  sinners.  O  how  did  the  zeal  of 
others  reprove  me  ! 

Well,  I  hope  I  got  a  little  spark  among  you, 
and  that  something  like  zeal  is  kindled  in  the 
coldest  heart  in  the  world.  I  have  to  thank 
God  for  his  love  to  me  at  Wellington,  in  a  spe- 
cial manner,  and  desire  to  share  always  in  the 
prayers  of  the  good  people  I  saw  there,  and  to 
be  especially  remembered  to  that  honest  soul 
who  was  so  kindly  my  companion  to  Collump- 
ton.  But  you  are  asking,  how  is  it  at  Truro  ? 
are  there  any  awakenings,  since  your  return  ? 
Why,  there  were  many  wet  eyes,  last  Sunday, 
among  the  backsliders.     This  is  encouragement. 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  113 

The  Lord  may  please  to  bless  us  with  one  har- 
vest more.  I  wish  1  had  more  heart  to  pray  and 
labour  for  poor  souls. 

"My  dear  gir,  this  is  our  business;  and  how' 
honourable,  how  gainful,  how  delightful  !  Sure 
it  is  the  most  reasonable,  the  highest  gratifica- 
tion, to  see  children  begotten  to  God  under  our 
ministry.  And,  methinks,  an  hour  spent  with  one 
of  these  little  ones,  whom  the  Lord  has  given 
me,  is  infinitely  an  overpayment  for  all  I  am 
called  to  suffer,  for  whole  years,  in  the  cause  of 
our  Master.  And  what  then  will  the  joy  be 
hereafter  !  I  love  to  think  how  happy  we  shall 
be  in  heaven  together  ;  and  all  God's  people  with 
us.  Who,  what  shall  separate  us  then  from  our 
work  ?  *'  Shall  tribulation,  &c.  ?"  'Tis  an  honour 
to  have  the  name  cast  out,  or  to  be  cast  out  in 
person,  for  Jesus  and  souls.  To  turn  a  soul  from 
Satan  to  God,  my  friend,  O  what  a  rich  retribu- 
tion for  the  loss  of  all  things  ! 

"  But  stop,  and  look  nearer  home.      Sir,  I  have 
a  very  bad  heart,  which  needs  much  establishment 
in  that  faith  which    purifies.     Could  you  see  the 
bottom    of  me,    you    would    see    every    thing  a 
man   would    abhor,    particularly  pride   with  two 
heads    taller    than   the    rest,     I    mean  desire  of 
esteem,    and  secret  self-applause.     These   mon- 
sters continually  thrust  in  their  faces,  which  ever 
way  I  look ;  and  wherever  I  am,  they  are  sure  to 
be    of  the  company.     Pretty  often,  indeed,  they 
receive  a  stunning  knock  on  the  head  ;  and  then  I 
seem  to  get  rid  of  them  a  little  ;  but  even  then  I 
10* 


114  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

never  look  back,  but  I  see  they  are  dogging  me. 
Do  you  know  how  I  may  use  them  so  roughly  as 
to  be  quite  quit  of  their  company  ?  Or  is  there  not 
reason  to  think,  that  they  find  I  am  still  too  fond 
of  them,  and  therefore  follow  me,  spaniel-like, 
though  they  are  used  like  dogs  ?  But  stop  again. 
Is  not  this  too  light  on  so  interesting  a  subject  ? 
Why,  I  know  not  how,  the  thought  of  dear  old 
Williams  was  on  my  mind,  and  it  gave  me  a 
dash  of  his  manner. 

"Pray  tell  me  ho\v  you  do,  and  how  your 
people  are,  especially  those  under  impressions 
when  I  was  with  you  ;  and  how  is  dear  Mrs. 
Darracott.  You  must  tell  me  every  thing.  I 
have  a  high  opinion  of  the  work  with  you;  and 
to  be  plain,  saw  nothing  like  it  in  my  long 
journey.  O  how  should  the  thought  of  what 
God  has  done  by  you  humble  you  !  How  should 
it  make  all  of  you  fear  always  ;  lest,  being  so  dis- 
tinguished, any  of  you,  by  the  least  misconduct  or 
compliance,  should  strike  a  dagger  at  once 
through  the  heart  of  his  Master,  and  the  souls  of 
his  neighbours.  May  I  judge  by  myself,  we  are 
all  apt  to  be  too  selfish,  and  not  to  take  our  mea- 
sures so  much  as  we  should,  with  a  compassionate 
regard  to  those  who  are  without ;  and  who,  to  all 
appearance,  must  lie  and  perish  in  their  sins, 
unless  we  help  them  in  our  respective  places." 

From  the  close  of  .the  year  1757,  may  be  dated 
the  termination  of  Mr.  Darracott's  most  distin- 
guished success  'y  for,    though  he   continued    to 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  115 

preach  nearly  a   year  afterwards,  with  marks  of 
divine  approbation,  his  health  began  to  decline 
and  his  labours  were  necessarily  abridged. 

Of  this  he  soon  began  to  complain.  When  a ' 
minister's  heart  is  not  in  the  right  place,  his  flock 
will  perceive  the  declension  of  which  he  is  in- 
sensible ;  but  one  who  is  alive  to  the  great  ob- 
jects of  his  ministry,  will  be  the  first  to  see  and 
feel,  when  it  is  not  with  them  as  in  former  days. 
In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  Mr.  Darracott  says, 

"  Wellington,  Jan.  S,  1757.  ^ 
"  I  have  not  seen  that  success,  the  past  year, 
which  I  have  known  in  some  former  years,  but  I 
hope  something  was  done  ;  and,  at  the  conclusion, 
a  sweet  young  creature,  about  seventeen,  was 
proposed  to  our  communion,  which  gave  me 
great  delight,  and  may  attract  others.  I  have 
also  had  some  certain  accounts  of  my  little  books 
being  blessed.  Some  of  them  are  in  Newgate, 
and  have  been  useful  to  some  poor  condemned 
malefactors  there,  who  are  thought  to  have  ob- 
tained mercy  of  the  Lord.  j 
"  Mr.  V/alker  writes  last  week,  from  Truro,  »'  " 
thus  :  <  My  dear  friend  will  rejoice  with  me  in 
the  new  field  of  usefulness  which  the  Lord  has 
opened  to  me,  by  the  coming  of  two  hundred 
soldiers  into  the  town.  My  heart  was  greatly 
stirred  up  towards  them,  and  so  were  many  of  my 
dear  society ;  and  the  Spirit  has  been  won- 
derfully poured  out  upon  these  poor  creatures ; 
insomuch  that  no  less  than  one  hundred  of  them 


116  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

have  been  awakened,  and  this,  in  about  three 
weeks.  The  work  has  been  deep  with  many  of 
them ;  insomuch  that  twenty  of  them  are  so 
promising,  that  I  shall  put  them  together  in  a 
society." 

Thus  he  consoled  himself,  when  he  feared  his 
own  usefulness  was  declining,  by  turning  to  be- 
hold the  succes  of  a  brother's  labours.  This  is 
exactly  the  spirit  which  becomes  a  minister  of 
Christ ;  for  he  that  can  enjoy  no  prosperity  but 
that  which  attends  his  own  ministry,  has  reason 
to  fear,  that  notwithstanding  his  usefulness,  he  is 
in  a  great  measure  preaching  himself,  and  not 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord.  To  warn  his  disciples 
against  confidence  in  their  success,  without  due 
regard  to  their  spirit,  our  Lord  said  to  those  who 
exclaimed  "  Lord,  even  the  devils  are  subject  to 
us  through  thy  name  ;  in  this  rejoice  not,  that  the 
devils  are  subject  to  you,  but  rather  rejoice  that 
your  names  are  written  in  heaven.  For  many 
shall  say  to  me  in  the  last  day.  Lord,  Lord,  have 
we  not  prophesied  in  thy  name  ?  and  in  thy  name 
cast  out  devils,  and  in  thy  name  done  many  won- 
derful works  ?  And  then  will  I  profess  to  them, 
I  never  knew  you,  depart  from  me,  ye  that  work 
iniquity." 

After  an  attack  of  illness,  he  wrote,  "  I  hope 
my  return  to  life  has  been  in  mercy,  especially  to 
some  persons  in  Broadway,  where  I  have  lately 
bestowed  a  little  labour  that  seems  to  be  attended 
with  a  remarkable  blessing.  I  went,  by  appoint- 
ment, last  Sunday  evening,  to  give  them  a  lecture  ; 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  117 

many  seemed  affected  :  but,  in  conversation  and 
religious  exercises  at  the  house  where  I  lodged,  it 
was  a  more  affecting  season  still.  They  desired 
me  to  stay  and  preach  the  following  evening,  and 
I  was  not  very  reluctant,  as  I  saw  some  impression 
made  :  a  greater  number  were  gathered  together, 
and  the  word  still  more  blessed.  Many,  again 
followed  me  to  my  lodgings,  where  we  had  ano- 
ther affecting  season.  I  vi^as  called  upon,  next 
morning,  to  visit  a  person  that  was  under  great 
distress,  hy  the  word  he  had  heard  the  night  be- 
fore :  talking  and  praying  with  him  greatly  af- 
fected me,  and  I  left  them,  with  much  satisfac- 
tion in  what  I  saw." 

Thus  Mr.  Darracott  enlarged  his  sphere,  by 
visiting  the  adjacent  towns  and  villages,  to  seek 
for  the  sheep  of  Christ  wherever  he  could  find 
them.  He  was  regarded  as  the  affectionate 
friend  of  the  souls  of  men,  and  all  who  began  to 
feel  solicitous  for  their  salvation,  looked  to  him 
for  counsel  and  aid.  What  distinction  can  be 
more  exalted  ?  But,  as  the  post  of  honour  is  the 
post  of  labour  ;  it  brought  upon  him  a  load  of 
engagements,  which  nothing  but  love  to  the  work 
could  make  pleasant. 

That  his  own  peculiar  charge  had  no  reason  to 
complain  of  having  but  half  their  pastor's  heart, 
or  of  suffering  injury  from  the  extension  of  his 
labours  in  every  direction,  the  following  letter 
will  prove. 

"Dec.  24,  1757. 

"  I  have  lately  found  more  ardent  desires  to  be 


113  MEMOIRS    OF     DARRACOTT* 

useful,  and  my  dear  people  have  been  more  prayer- 
Hil,  for  a  blessing.  And,  I  do  think,  more  has  been 
done  in  a  way  of  awakening,  in  two  or  three 
weeks,  than  I  recollect  for  this  twelvemonth.  It 
is  principally,  too,  among  the  young  women.  I 
had  more  than  twenty  such  with  me,  last  Sabbath 
evening  :  they  meet  and  pray  together.  My  dear 
daughter  is  one  of  them,  and  fills  my  heart  with 
joy.  I  cheerfully  hope  the  impressions  will  not 
be  all  like  the  early  dew  or  morning  cloud  ; 
though,  I  must  own,  I  have  seen  so  much  of  im- 
pressions dying  away,  that  I  cannot  be  so  san- 
guine as  I  have  been." 

He  had  now  increased  the  number  of  his  com- 
municants, from  twenty-eight,  to  nearly  three 
hundred.  Several  hundreds  more  had  been  deeply 
impressed  by  his  preaching,  but  some  of  them  had 
been  removed  by  Providence  ;  and  the  religion  of 
others  proved  like  the  morning  cloud  or  the 
early  dew  that  hasteth  away.  The  place  of  wor- 
ship, though  it  had  been  enlarged,  was  still  too 
small ;  for  numbers  stood  at  the  doors.  The  coun- 
try around  saw,  with  astonishment,  multitudes 
flock  into  the  town,  eager  to  hear  the  word  which 
they  formerly  despised. 

But  this  success  was  chiefly  among  the  poor ; 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  rich,  whether  among 
the  original  members  of  his  own  congregation, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  or  the  residents  in 
the  adjacent  villages,  despised  his  preaching  as 
mere    enthusiasm.     He    was,    however,    in    the 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  119 

highest  degree  a  rational  preacher  ;  for  he  care- 
fully sought  to  ascertain  the  sentiments  of  the 
divine  mind,  the  source  of  reason,  and  preached 
them  with  the  fervour  vi^hich  they  should  excite 
in  all  reasonable  minds.  The  purity  of  Mr. 
Darracott's  motives,  was  seen  by  the  satisfaction 
he  felt  in  his  sudcess  among  the  poor,  amidst 
all  the  contempt  of  the  rich.  His  own  mind 
was  formed  for  more  elevated  society,  and  his 
manners  procured  him  a  respectful  welcome 
among  some  select  friends  of  rank  and  title.  But 
he  laboured,  like  his  Master,  to  preach  glad 
tidings  to  the  poor,  and  was  satisfied  with  being 
able,  like  him,  to  rejoice  and  say,  "  I  thank  thee, 
O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  that  thou 
hast  hidden  these  things  from  the  wise  and  pru- 
dent, and  revealed  them  to  babes ;  even  so, 
Father,  for  so  it  seemeth  good  in  thy  sight." 

The  time  now  drew  near  that  this  faithful  ser- 
vant should  return,  to  give  up  his  account  to  him 
that  sent  him.  He  was,  therefore,  previously  tried 
to  see  whether  he  could  suffer  as  nobly  as  he  had 
laboured  for  God ;  and  the  concluding  scene 
exhibits  an  example  of  passive  religion,  even 
more  eminent  than  the  specimen  of  active  devo- 
tion which  his  life  has  aflforded.  U  ministers 
have  already  been  taught  how  to  live.  Christians 
may  now  come  and  learn  how  to  die. 


120  MEMOIRS  OF  DARRACOTT. 


CHAPTER  IV, 


The  first  attack  of  the  disorder  which  removed 
Mr.  Darracott  from  this  world,  was  in  the  year 
1757,  but  from  this  he  recovered.  His  head, 
however,  was  so  severely  affected  by  the  com- 
plaint, that  his  labours,  the  delight  of  his  heart, 
were  much  impeded.  To  such  men  as  Mr. 
Darracott,  nothing  is  so  fatiguing  as  inaction. 
Like  angels,  they  enjoy  the  activity  to  which 
their  Maker  calls  them,  and  only  dread  the  chain 
that  binds  their  hands,  the  clay  that  impedes  their 
wings.  It  was,  therefore,  regarded  by  the  pastor 
of  Wellington  as  a  favour,  that,  when  his  exertions 
were  diminished,  he  was  soon  called  home  to  the 
more  vital  existence  of  the  blessed. 

In  the  middle  of  the  following  year,  the  attacks 
became  more  violent.  Four  times,  in  eight  days, 
he  was  seized  in  an  alarming  manner.  The 
first  time  was,  on  the  morning  of  the  Lord's  day, 
which  distressed  him  with  the  apprehension  of 
not  being  able  to  feed  his  flock.  He  went  through 
the  services  of  the  day,  however,  with  more  than 
ordinary  solemnity,  if  with  less  than  his  usual 
animation.     His  audience  were  much  affected  ; 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  121 

for  he  told  them  he  felt  all  the   solemn  awe  of  a 
man  about  to  put  off  this  tabernacle. 

There  is  a  calm  seriousness  more  impressive 
than  the  most  rapturous  animation.  In  this,  the 
celebrated  President  Edwards,  of  New  England, 
excelled.  Too  feeble  to  give  effect  to  his  compo- 
sitions by  physical  means ;  he  supplied  every 
defect  by  the  seriousness  of  eternity,  which  re- 
minded his  hearers  of  such  scenes  of  transcendent 
devotion,  as  his  own  memoirs  exhibit.  This, 
however,  must  have  been  peculiarly  impressive 
to  the  congregation  at  Wellington  ;  as  they  had 
been  accustomed  to  a  manner,  which  formed  a 
perfect  contrast  to  the  stillness  of  death  ;  for  it 
has  been  shrewdly  observed,  that  Mr.  Darracott 
looked  "  like  one  that  lived  upon  live  things." 

The  last  of  the  repeated  attacks  which  Mr. 
Darracott  suffered,  was  in  the  pulpit,  on  the  fol- 
lowing Friday,  when  he  was  a  second  time  led 
out  of  the  congregation  by  some  of  his  afflicted 
flock.  He  recovered  again  so  far,  as  to  preach 
on  the  following  Lord's-day,  on  the  words  which 
afforded  him  peculiar  consolation  :  "  Although 
my  house  be  not  so  with  God  ;  yet  hath  he  made 
with  me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all 
things  and  sure  :  this  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all 
my  desire,  although  he  make  me  not  to  grow." 

Under  the  impression  of  approaching  morta- 
lity, he  wrote  to  a  friend,  with  devout  submission,. 
11 


122  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

expressing  a  joyful   hope  of  soon  being  for  ever 
with  Christ. 

On  the  eleventh  of  July,  1 759,  he  made  a  kind 
of  codicil  to  his  will,  giving  directions  concern- 
ing his  funeral,  and  other  affairs  connected  with 
his  death.  This  instrument,  instead  of  the  beau- 
tiful, neat  hand,  which  distinguishes  his  former 
manuscripts,  discovers  the  tremulousness  of  death, 
which  renders  it  scarcely  legible.  He  so  far 
recovered,  as  to  afford  his  family  and  flock  a 
gleam  of  hope.  But  he  complains  of  dragging 
on  heavily,  in  his  private  devotions,  and  public 
labours. 

The  first  confident  expectation  of  death  which 
Mr.  Darracott  expressed,  was  when  a  month 
elapsed,  without  any  addition  to  his  church. 
"  Now,"  said  he,  "  I  believe  I  am  near  my  end  : 
my  work  is  done,  and  I  am  going  home  to  my 
rest."  He  doubtless  had,  as  the  Apostle  says, 
«  the  sentence  of  death  in  himself,"  which  jus- 
tified his  conclusion  ;  for  the  mere  suspension 
of  ordinary  success  would  not  have  proved  that 
he  was  near  his  home.  Many  have  had  what 
they  called  several  harvests ;  seasons,  in  which 
they  reaped  with  gladness,  the  fruit  of  the  seed 
which  they  had  long  ago  sown  in  tears.  But  it 
was  the  privilege  of  Darracott  to  have  but  one 
harvest;  which  lasted  through  almost  all  his  life, 
and  to  go  quickly  home  at  the  close  of  it,  to  re- 
ceive the  plaudit  of  the  Lord  of  harvest. 

With  this  impression  of  approaching  death,  (to 
him  no  gloomy   one)  he  administered  the  Lord's 


MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT.  123 

supper,  for  the  last  time,  Dec.  3,  1758.  On  the 
evening  of  that  day,  he  composed  a  meditation, 
which  he  enclosed  in  a  letter  to  a  friend  in  Lon- 
don. It  furnishes  a  fine  specimen  of  that  pecu- 
liar kind  of  devotional  exercise,  often  recommen- 
ded in  the  Scriptures,  but  unhappily  little  known 
or  practised  among  christians.  This  meditation 
breathes  the  language  of  an  exalted  Christian  on 
the  borders  of  Paradise. 

"  Is  this  the  voice  of  my  dear  Lord  ?  '  Surely 
I  come  (Juickly.'  Amen,  says  my  willing,  joyful 
soul,  even  so,  come  Lord  Jesus !  Come  for  I 
long  to  have  done  with  this  poor  low  life  ;  to 
have  done  with  its  burthens,  its  sorrows,  and  its 
snares.  Come,  for  I  grow  weary  of  this  painful 
distance,  and  long  to  be  at  home  :  long  to  be 
with  thee,  where  thou  art,  that  I  may  behold  thy 
glory. 

"  Come,  then,  blessed  Jesus,  as  soon  as  thou 
pleasest,  and  burst  asunder  these  bonds  of  clay, 
which  hold  me  from  thee;  break  down  these 
separating  walls,  which  hinder  me  from  thine 
embrace.  Death  is  no  more  my  dread,  but 
rather  the  object  of  my  desire.  I  welcome  the 
stroke,  which  will  prove  so  friendly  to  me  ;  which 
will  knock  off  my  fetters,  throw  open  my  prison 
doors,  and  set  my  soul  at  liberty ;  which  will 
free  me  (transporting  thought !)  from  all  those 
remainders  of  indwelling  sin,  under  which  I  have 
long  groaned  in  this  tabernacle,  and  with  which 
I  have  been  maintaining  a  constant  and  painful 
conflict ;  but  which  all  my  weeping  and  praying, 


124  MEMOIRS    OF  DARRACOTT. 

all  my  attending  divine  ordinances,  could  never 
entirely  cure  me  of  :  yea,  will  perfectly  and  for 
ever  free  me  from  all  my  complaints  ;  give  me 
the  answer  of  all  my  prayers  ;  and  put  me  at 
once  in  the  eternal  possession  of  my  warmest 
wishes  and  hopes,  even  the  sweet,  beatifying  pre- 
sence of  thee,  O  blessed  Jesus  !  '  whom  having 
not  seen,  I  love,  and  in  whom,  though  now  I  see 
thee  not,  yet  believing,  I  rejoice,  with  joy  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory.' 

"  This  world  has  now  no  more  charms  to  at- 
tract my  heart,  or  make  me  wish  a  moment's 
longer  stay.  I  have  no  engagements  to  delay 
my  farewell.  Nothing  to  detain  me  now.  My 
soul  is  on  the  wing.  Joyfully  do  I  quit  mortali- 
ty, and  here  cheerfully  take  my  leave  of  all  I 
ever  held  dear  below. 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  Christian  friends ;  I  have 
taken  sweet  counsel  with  you  in  the  way  ;  but 
I  leave  you  for  sweeter,  better  converse  above. 
You  will  soon  follow  me,  and  then  our  delight- 
ful communion  shall  be  uninterrupted,  as  well  as 
perfect,  and  our  society  be  broken  up  no  more 
for  ever. 

"  Farewell,    in  particular,  my  dearest . 

How  has  our  friendship  ripened  almost  to  the 
maturity  of  heaven  !  How  tenderly  and  closely 
are  our  hearts  knit  to  one  another  !  Nor  shall 
the  sweet  union  be  dissolved  by  death.  Being 
one  in  Christ,  we  shall  be  one  forever.  With 
what    eternal    thankfulness   shall   we   remember 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  125 

that  word,    "  Christ  is    all  in  all  ?"     He  was  so 
then,  indeed,  and  he  will  ever  be  so. 

'<  Mourn  not  thgit  I  go  to  Jesus  first.  It  is 
but  a  little  while,  and  you  will  come  after.  And 
O  !  with  what  joy,  think  you,  shall  1  welcome 
your  arrival  on  the  heavenly  shore,  and  conduct 
you  to  him,  whom  our  souls  so  dearly  love  ? 
What  though  we  meet  no  more  at  Wellington, 
we  shall,  we  assuredly  shall,  embrace  one  an- 
other in  heaven,  never  to  part  more.  Till  then, 
adieu  !  and  know,  I  leave  you  with  the  warmest 
wishes  of  all  felicity  to  attend  you,  and  the  most 
grateful  overflowings  of  heart,  for  all  the  kindest 
tokens  of  the  most  endearing  friendship  I  ever 
received  from  you. 

"  Farewell,  thou  my  dearest  wife  !  my  most 
affectionate  delightful  companion  in  heaven's 
road,  whom  God  in  the  greatest  mercy  gave  me, 
and  has  thus  to  the  end  of  my  race  graciously 
continued  to  me  !  For  all  thy  care,  thy  love,  thy 
prayers,  I  bless  my  God,  and  thank  thee  in  these 
departing  moments.  But,  dear  as  thou  art,  and 
dearest  of  all  that  is  mortal  I  hold  thee,  I  now 
find  it  easy  to  part  from  thee,  to  go  to  that  Jesus, 
thine  and  mine,  who  is  infinitely  more  dear  to 
me.  With  him  I  cheerfully  leave  thee,  nor  doubt 
his  care  of  thee,  who  has  loved  thee,  and  given 
himself  for  thee.  'Tis  but  a  short  separation  we 
shall  have  ;  our  spirits  will  soon  reunite,  and  then, 
never,  never  know  separation  more.  For  as  we 
have  been  companions  in  the  patience  and  tribu- 
11* 


126  MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT. 

lation  of  our  Lord's  kingdom,  we  shall  assuredly 
be  so  in  his  glory. 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  children  !  I  leave  you  ;  but 
God  has  bound  himself  by  a  most  inviolable  pro- 
mise, to  take  care  of  you.  Only  choose  him  for 
your  own  God,  who  has  been  your  father's  God, 
and  then,  though  I  leave  you  exposed  in  the 
waves  of  a  dangerous  and  wicked  world.  Provi- 
dence, eternal  and  mighty  Providence,  has  under- 
taken to  pilot  and  preserve  you.  With  comfortable 
hope,  therefore,  I  bid  you  my  last  adieu  ;  pleading 
the  faithful  and  true  promise,  saying  as  the 
patriarch,  « I  die,'  iliy  dear  children,  '  but  God 
will  be  with  you  :  praying  in  humble  faith,  that 
your  souls,  with  those  of  your  parents,  may  be 
bound  up  in  the  bundle  of  life  with  the  Lord 
your  God.' 

"  Farewell,  ye    my    dear   people  !  to  whom  I 
have  been  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel,  that 
gospel,   which  is   now   all  my   hope,  and  all   my 
joy.      Many,  very  many  of  you,  are   my   present 
rejoicing,  and  will  be  my  eternal  crown  of  glory. 
And   now  I  am  leaving  you,  I  bless  God   for  all 
the  success  he  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  give 
my  poor   labours   among  you ;  for  all  the  com- 
fortable seasons  of  grace  I  have  enjoyed  with  you. 
I  part   with  you,  this  day,  at  the  sacred   table  of 
our  blessed  Lord,  in  the   confidence    and   hope, 
that  though  I  shall  drink  no  more  with  you   this 
fruit  of  the  vine,  I  shall  drink  it  new  with  you,  in 
the  kingdom  of  our  heavenly  Father.     Only,  my 
brethren,  my  dearly  beloved  and  longed  for,  my 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  127 

joy   and   crown,   so   stand  fast  in  the  Lord,  my 
dearly  beloved. 

"  But,  for  the  rest  of  you,  I  mourn  to  think  in 
what  a  miserable  condition  I  am  leaving  you ; 
and  though  you  will  no  more  hear  my  voice,  and 
have  often,  alas  !  heard  it  to  no  purpose,  this 
once,  hear,  and  regard  my  dying  charge — that 
you  do  not  continue  in  a  Christless  and  uncon- 
verted state,  nor  meet  me  in  that  state,  at  the 
day  of  judgment. 

''  And  now,  farewell  praying  and  preaching  ! 
my  most  delightful  work  !  Farewell,  ye  Sab- 
baths and  sacraments,  and  all  divine  ordinances  ! 
I  have  now  done  with  you  all,  and  you  have  done 
all  that  was  to  be  done  for  me.  As  the  manna, 
and  the  rock,  in  the  wilderness,  you  have  sup- 
plied me  with  sweet  refreshment  by  the  way  ; 
and  now  I  am  leaving  you,  I  bless  my  God  for 
all  the  comfort  and  edification  I  have  received  by 
your  means,  as  the  appointed  channel  of  divine 
communications.  But  now  I  have  no  more  need 
of  you.  I  am  going  to  the  God  of  ordinances  ;  to 
that  fountain  of  living  waters,  which  has  filled 
these  pools  below  ;  and,  instead  of  sipping  at  the 
streams,  I  shall  now  be  for  ever  satisfied  from  the 
fountain-head. 

'*  Farewell  now,  my  poor  body  !  Thou  shalt 
be  no  more  a  clog  to  my  active  spirit,  no  more 
hinder  me  in  the  service  of  God,  no  more  ensnare 
my  soul,  and  pollute  it  with  sin.  And  now,  an 
everlasting  farewell  to  all  sins  and  sorrows,  all 
doubts    and    fears,    conflicts    and    temptations ! 


12  8  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

Farewell  to  earth  and  all  terrestrial  scenes  !  Ye 
are  now  no  more  !  An  infinitely  brighter  pros- 
pect opens  to  me  !" 

"  '^ee  the  guardian  angels  nigh, 
Wait  to  waft  my  soul  on  high  ! 
See  the  golden  gates  display'd  ! 
See  the  crown  to  grace  my  head ! 
See  a  flood  of  sacred  light, 
Which  shall  yield  no  more  to  night  ! 
Transitory  world,  farewell ! 
Jesus  calls  with  liim  to  dwell." 

Doddridge's  Hymns. 

But,  while  his  affliction  seemed  only  to  afford 
him  the  lively  anticipation  of  heaven,  it  alarmed 
the  fears  of  many  Christian  friends,  who  poured 
in  their  letters  of  sympathy  and  consolation. 
Among  the  rest,  his  brother  Pearsall  wrote,  "  I  am 
distressed  for  thee,  my  brother.  I  cannot  but  be 
afflicted  till  I  hear  of  your  restoration.  I  yet 
bless  God,  that  my  lamentation  is  not  over  a 
dead  friend,  as  David's  was.  May  he  who 
has  so  often  raised  up  from  beds  of  sickness, 
raise  you  up,  and  bring  you  forth  as  gold.  I  pity 
poor  Mrs.  Darracott  under  her  heavy  loads  of 
trouble  ;  the  clouds  so  often  returning  after  the 
rain." 

Another  wave  seemed  to  bear  him  towards  the 
shore  again  ;  for  his  disorder,  for  some  time,  was  so 
far  alleviated  that  he  was  able  to  write  to  a  friend 
as  if  in  expectation  of  returning  to  life  and  useful- 
ness :  this,  which  was  his  last  letter,  was  dated 
January  2,  1759.     It  is  as  follows  : 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  129 

«'  My  dear  friend, 

"  Though  I  am  hardly  yet  able  to  hold  my  pen, 
I  am  willing  to  give  you  this  satisfaction,  that  I 
am  recovering,  by  writing,  though  ever  so  short 
a  letter.  I  have  been  longer  in  pain  than  I  re- 
member ever  to  have  been  before,  and  for  some 
part  of  the  time,  it  has  been  sharp  pain  indeed. 
But  for  ever  blessed  be  the  rich  goodness  of  my 
God,  I  hope  I  have  experienced  his  supporting 
and  comforting  power  towards  me.  So  that, 
though  the  flesh  could  not  but  groan,  the  spirit 
did  not  murmur,  but  sweetly  bowed  in  submis- 
sion, as  believing  my  heavenly  Father  had  no 
other  than  merciful  designs  in  all,  and  whatever 
was  the  issue,  of  which  I  was  never  more  indif- 
ferent, it  would  be  all  well. 

"  And  now  it  has  pleased  him,  who  has  called 
home  his  eminent  servant  Hervey,  to  continue  a 
little  longer  in  the  world,  his  unworthy  servant 
Darracott.  O  that  it  may  quicken  me,  to  be 
found  more  faithful  and  zealous  in  his  service  : 
then,  too,  shall  my  dismission  be  signed,  in  the 
appointed  time  and  way,  and  I  shall  follow  them 
who  have  been  my  dear  delighful  companions,  to 
live  for  ever  with  them,  and  with  that  Jesus  whom 
we  loved,  and  in  whom  we  were  united. 

"  I  have  had  a  solitary  Sabbath,  besides  the 
loss  of  some  other  seasons,  I  used  to  enjoy  in 
these  holydays.  Blessed  be  God,  I  can  look 
back  upon  these  times  with  pleasure  now,  in 
my  confinement,  and  say,  Lord,  thou  knowest 
I  have   loved  thy   service,    and  the  place  of  thy 


130  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

habitation  has  been  sweet  to  me.  Your  letter  to 
my  daughter,  this  morning,  affects  me  tenderly. 
Be  incessant  in  your  prayers  for  me,  and  join 
your  praises  with  mine.  Accept  our  joint  love, 
and  be  assured,  in  all  the  languor  of  nature,  I 
still  feel  the  flame  of  our  religious  friendship 
burns  strong,  nor  shall  death  quench  it  for  ever  ; 
ever  shall  I  be  yours.  Pray  for  me,  that  if  it  be 
the  will  of  God,  and  our  dear  Lord  Jesus,  I  may 
be  strengthened  to  go  forth  next  Lord's  day. 

"  Risdon  Darracott." 
He  had  written,  the  day  before,  to  his  friend 
Mr.  Fawcett,  of  Kidderminster,  saying,  "  when- 
ever it  shall  please  God  to  take  me  away,  as  I 
hope  you  will  survive  me,  I  shall  leave  an  office  of 
friendship  to  be  performed  by  you,  which  you 
will  not  deny  me,  especially  as  you  will  see  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  good  of  souls,  are  the  great 
things  I  aim  at.  I  find  somewhat  infinitely  sooth- 
ing and  cheering,  in  these  four  lines,  which  our 
dear  tutor  has  put  into  the  mouth  of  a  child  : 

"  If  to  correct  me  be  his  will, 
I'll  bear  it  with  submission  still  ; 
A  tender  Father  sure  he  proves, 
And  but  corrects,  because  he  loves." 

Doddridge's  verses  for  Children, 

*'  Oh  !  what  less  than  a  thousand  arguments  in 
that  one,  for  the  most  cordial,  sweet,  humble 
submission  ?  O,  my  dear  brother,  how  sweet  to 
see  our  comforts  and  our  crosses,  our  joyful  and 
mournful  circumstances,  our  life  and  our  death, 
all  in  the  hands  of  such  a  Father  ;  all  equally 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  131 

under  his  direction,  and  all  evidently  designed 
by  him  for  our  good  ;  all  proceeding  from  his 
everlasting  love  which  he  had  for  us,  terminating 
at  last  in  our  everlasting  salvation  !  This  lays 
an  easy  foundation  for  that  precept,  which  is  a 
strange  one  to  a  carnal  world — '  in  every  thing 
give  thanks.' 

His  illness  continued  three  months,  with  inter- 
vals of  excruciating  pain,  arising,  as  was  con- 
jectured, from  stones  in  the  kidneys,  producing 
such  inflamation  as  extended  also  to  all  the 
adjacent  parts  :  yet  nothing  was  heard  from  his 
lips,  but  continual  expressions  of  praise  and 
thanksgiving.  This  led  the  apothecary  to  de- 
clare, in  a  letter  he  wrote  to  announce  Mr.  Dar- 
racott's  death,  "  Of  all  the  death-beds  I  ever  at- 
tended, I  never  saw  such  an  instance  of  holy  re- 
signation and  triumph." 

About  three  weeks  before  he  died,  on  a  Lord's 
day  morning,  he  said  to  one  that  was  standing 
by,  "  I  am  going  to  that  Jesus  whom  I  love,  and 
whom  I  have  so  often  preached.  "  Come,  Lord 
Jesus,  come  quickly,  why  are  thy  chariot-wheels 
so  long  a-coming  ?"  He  then  turned  from  his 
own  case,  to  that  of  others  ;  and,  in  a  solemn 
manner,  reminded  those  around  him  of  their 
appearance  at  the  judgment-seat,  exclaiming, 
"  I  charge  you,  see  to  it  that  you  meet  me  at  the 
right  hand  of  God  at  the  great  day." 

While  affliction  pressed  heavily  upon  him,  he 
seemed  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  the  divine 
goodness,    which  he    expressed   in  the   following 


132  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

words  :  "  Oh,  what  a  mercy  it  is  to  have  such  a 
rock  to  build  upon  as  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  I 
have  found  him  to  be  a  firm  rock  that  will  not 
fail.  What  a  mercy  it  is  to  have  a  covenant 
God, — a  covenant  that  is  so  well  ordered  in  all 
things  and  sure,  that  is  all  my  salvation,  and  all 
my  desire  !  I  have  found  him  to  be  a  covenant- 
keeping  God." 

Adverting  to  his  own  incapacity  for  utterance, 
and  fearing  lest  his  divine  benefactor  should  be 
defrauded  of  the  due  revenue  of  praise,  he  ad- 
dressed Mrs.  Darracott  thus,  "  My  dear,  do  you 
speak  of  the  goodness  of  God  towards  me,  for 
I  want  a  tongue  but  not  a  heart  to  praise  him." 
A  friend  said,  "  I  hope  your  tongue  will  be  loosed 
again,  to  praise  him  in  this  world  ;"  he  answered, 
"  if  not,  we  shall  praise  him  in  heaven  together  ; 
Jiow  good  God  is,  he  is  all  love,  all  goodness." 

Observing  some  of  his  flock  near  him,  he 
shewed  the  ruling  passion  strong  in  death  ;  for 
he  commenced  a  sermon  on  his  bed,  exhorting 
them  to  perseverance  in  the  faith.  "  Hold  out, 
and  hold  on,"  said  he.  "  I  trust  I  have  begotten 
you  both  in  Christ  Jesus  :  may  the  Lord  pour 
down  a  plentiful  effusion  of  his  Spirit  upon  you." 

The  Psalmist  anticipating  the  divine  goodness, 
said,  "  the  righteous  shall  compass  me  about,  for 
thou  shalt  deal  bountifully  with  me."  This  pri- 
vilege now  filled  the  heart  of  the  dying  saint  with 
gratitude  and  joy,  which  he  thus  expressed. 
"  What  attendance  have  I  got,  Jesus  is  with  me  ; 
angels  are  my  guardians  ;  the  blessed  Spirit  is  my 


MEMOIRS   OF  DABRACOTT.  133 

comforter  and  supporter  ;  and  you,  my  dear  spi- 
ritual friends,  waiting  on  me  ;  and  my  dear  wife, 
the  best  of  women.  But  don't  think  highly  of 
me ;  for  if  you  have  seen  a  measure  of  grace  in 
me,  you  have  seen  a  great  deal  of  corruption." 
Then,  after  a  pause,  he  said  to  himself,  <'  a  little 
longer,  and  the  Lord  will  release  me."  To  a 
friend,  who  thus  expressed  his  regard,  "  I  hope 
the  Lord  will  restore  you  again  ;"  he  replied,  "  no, 
that  is  not  to  be  expected,"  and  then  added,  "  my 
eyes  fail,  I  am  going." 

Every  common  object  he  seized,  and  turned  to 
pious  use.  His  speech,  his  food,  the  comforts  of 
his  bed,  were  thus  improved.  Finding  his  voice 
falter,  he  said,  "  I  want  a  new  tongue  to  praise 
God  here  ;  but  if  not  here,  I  shall  have  a  new 
heart  and  tongue  to  praise  him  in  heaven." 
When  taking  some  refreshment,  he  exclaimed 
*'  Blessed  be  God  for  this  meal ;"  and  to  a  friend, 
who  was  coming  in,  he  observed,  "  I  have  often 
sat  with  you  at  the  table  of  the  Lord  here  ;  I  am 
now  going  to  sit  around  his  board  above  :  these 
have  been  days  in  which  I  have  taken  great 
delight,  when  I  have  gone  to  the  house  of  God  in 
company  with  you."  As  he  had  said  to  his  wife, 
"  I  must  leave  you  without  any  formality  :  when 
will  the  day  dawn,  and  the  shadows  flee  away  ?" 
she,  anxious  for  the  comforts  of  his  last  moments, 
asked  him,  "  whether  he  was  warm  f  when  he 
.replied,  "  I  have  a  general  warmth  over  my  body, 
and  a  general  calm  over  my  soul." 

Sometimes    the    mental  delights  he  enjoyed, 
12 


il 


k  \ « 


134  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

seemed  so  far  to  overcome  all  sense  of  physical 
pain  or  disease,  that  he,  for  a  moment,  supposed 
he  might  recover.  Two  days  before  he  diedy 
waking  in  a  very  delightful  frame,  he  desired  that 
the  apothecary  might  be  sent  for  that  he  might 
know  what  he  thought  of  his  case.  When  the 
apothecary  came,  he  gave  but  little  hope.  Mr, 
Darracott  answered,  "  all  is  well ;  blessed  be  God, 
I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed,  and  can  rely  on 
the  promises,  they  are  all  mine ;  especially  that, 
« I  will  never  leave  nor  forsake  thee.'  I  am  sure 
he  will  not." 

Like  one  neither  unwilling  to  live,  nor  afraid  to 
die,  he  desired  that  the  church  might  be  called 
together  to  pray  for  him,  and  to  give  him  up  to 
the  Lord.  When  symptoms  of  recovery  ap- 
peared, he  called  on  those  in  the  room  w^ith  him, 
to  bless  God  for  it,  and  said,  "  when  thou  wilt 
call,  I  will  hear  and  answer.  O  blessed  promise, 
I  have  found  it  made  good  to  me.  Should  the 
Lord  raise  me  up  again,  surely  praise  will  become 
this  house." 

The  night  before  he  died,  he  said,  "  O  what  a 
good  God  have  I  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  would  praise 
him,  but  my  lips  cannot.  Eternity  wqll  be  too 
short  to  speak  his  praises."  He  earnestly  desired 
that  his  tongue  might  be  loosed,  to  speak  the 
praises  of  God  ;  and  it  was  granted.  The  night 
before  he  died,  he  was  in  a  delightful  frame,  full 
of  heavenly  joy,  with  his  intellectual  faculties  in 
full  vigour.  When  the  apothecary  came  in,  he 
said,    ^«  O,  Mr.   K.   what  a  mercy  it  is  to  be  in^ 


MEMOIRS     OP    DARRACOTT.  135 

terested  in  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ  !  You  tell 
me  I  am  dying,  how  long  do  you  think  it  will  be 
first  ?"  It  was  answered,  '*  that  is  uncertain,  to 
a  few  hours."  "  Will  it  be  to  night  ?"  said  he  ; 
"  I  believe  you  will  survive  the  night."  "  Well," 
he  exclaimed,  "all  is  well,  I  am  ready."  "  This, 
sir,"  addressing  the  apothecary,  "  is  agreeable  to 
the  doctrine  I  have  at  all  times  preached,  that  I 
now  come  to  the  Lord  as  a  vile  sinner,  trusting 
on  the  merits  and  precious  blood  of  my  dear 
Redeemer.     O  grace,  grace,  free  grace  !" 

As  his  flock  lay  very  near  his  heart,  he  was 
anxious  that  some  of  them  should  enjoy  the  en- 
couragement afforded  by  the  dying  triumphs  of 
their  pastor.  At  his  desire,  several  of  them  were 
called,  but  when  they  came,  his  spirits  were  ex- 
hausted, by  talking  nearly  three  quarters  of  an 
hour.  He  said  to  them,  however,  "  in  the  fkith  of 
that  doctrine  I  have  preached  to  you,  I  am  going 
to  die."  He  then  related  his  experience  of  the 
goodness  of  God  to  him  in  his  sickness,  and 
said,  "  if  I  had  a  thousand  lives  to  live,  I  would 
live  them  all  for  Christ ;  I  have  cast  anchor  on 
him  and  rely  on  his  blood,  and  am  going  to 
venture  my  all  upon  him."  He  then  took  his 
leave  of  each,  in  a  very  solemn  manner,  and  said, 
"  watch  your  hearts,  and  keep  them  with  all 
diligence,  for  out  of  them  is  the  issue  of  life  ;  as 
for  me,  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  fin- 
ished my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith  :  hence- 
forth there  is  laid  up  for  me,  a  crown  of  right- 
eousness, which   the   Lord,  the  righteous  Judge, 


136  MEMOIRS     OF  DARRACOTT. 

shall  give  me  at  that  day ;  and  not  to  me  only, 
but  to  them  all  also,  who  love  his  appearing." 
When  he  saw  Mrs.  Darracott  weeping,  he  said, 
"  Weep  not  for  me,  nor  yet  for  yourself,  for  you 
are  a  child  of  the  covenant.  I  am  going  to  see 
Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  and  all  that  are  got 
to  glory.  Yet,"  said  he,  "  should  this  be  a  delu- 
sion ?  but  it  is  not,  for  I  have  the  roll  in  my 
bosom  to  be  my  admittance  into  heaven,  and  the 
testimony  of  conscience  within  :  my  evidences 
are  clear."  He  then  repeated  these  verses  of 
Dr.  Watts. 

*'  My  God,  and  can  a  humble  child 
That  loves  thee  with  a  flame  so  high, 
Be  ever  from  thy  face  exii'd, 
Without  the  pity  of  thine  eye. 
Impossible  !  for  thine  own  hands 
Have  tied  my  heart  so  fast  to  thee, 
And  in  thy  book,  the  promise  stands, 
That  where  thou  art  thy  friends  must  be." 

Reflecting  on  the  source  of  his  exquisite 
enjoyments,  he  exclaimed,  "  the  Lord  had  been 
just  if  he  had  sent  me  to  hell ;  it  was  free-grace 
that  has  saved  me,  and  it  was  free-grace  that  I 
have  preached  to  others."  To  one  who  said, 
"  Sir,  you  are  going  to  receive  the  fruits  of  your 
labours  ;"  he  answered,  <'  no,  it  is  all  free-grace, 
grace."  This,  however,  seems  to  have  been 
spoken  with  a  view  to  his  former  meditations,  on 
the  source  of  his  religious  distinction,  and  to 
have  been  designed  to  suppress  vain-glorious 
ideas  of  merit.  For,  it  is  true,  "  that  whatsoever 
good  thing  any  man    doeth,  the  same  shall  he 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  137 

receive  of  the  Lord."  This  consideration,  the 
Apostle  employs  to  stimulate  christian  servants 
to  a  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties.  "  What- 
soever ye  do,  do  it  heartily  unto  the  Lord,  and 
not  to  men  ;  knowing  that  of  the  Lord  ye  shall 
receive  the  reward  of  the  inheritance,  for  ye  serve 
the  Lord  Christ."  Therefore,  it  is  said,  by  a 
voice  from  heaven,  "  blessed  are  the  dead  that  die 
in  the  Lord ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may 
rest  from  their  labours,  and  their  works  do  follow 
them:' 

Mr.  Darracott    took    the    apothecary    by  the 
hand,    and    said,   "  farewell,  my  dear    friend,  I 
thank  you  for  all  that  care,  trouble,  and  kindness, 
you  have  taken   with  and  for  me.      Blessed   be 
God,  all  is  well,  all  is  well.     I  am  now  going  to 
see  dear  Williams,  Doddridge,   and  the   rest  of 
the  glorified  saints.      Farewell,  my  friend,  a  good 
night  to  you."      In   the    morning    on  which  he 
died,  his   wife   came  in,  and  said,  "  my  dear,  you 
are  just  on  the  borders  of  glory  ;"  he  said,  ''  I 
could  not  have   thought  it,  had  not  the  physician 
and  Mr.  K.  told  me  so,   the   passage  is  so  easy." 
His  wife  said,  "  how  will  you  behold  the  dear 
Lord    Jesus,    when  you    come  to  glory!"     He 
replied,  "  I  shall  behold   him  face  to  face."     He 
then  lay  in  a  slumber  ;  and  all  around  thought 
him  dying,  as  no  pulsation  could  be  perceived. 
But  he  awoke,  in  about  twenty  minutes  after,  and 
said,  "  is  Mr.  Kennaway  come  ?"  it  was  answered, 
"  yes."     "  O,  my  dear  friend,   how  are  you  this 
morning,  did  you  not  tell  me,  last  nighty  I  was 
12* 


138  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

dying  ?"  it  was  answered,  "  I  did  so."  He  said, 
"  it  could  not  be,  it  was  too  easy.  What  a  mercy 
it  is  to  be  in  Christ ;  O  precious,  precious  Jesus  ! 
Now,"  said  he,  "  I  am  believing,  rejoicing, 
triumphant  too." 

As  there  were  ten  or  twelve  of  his  Christian 
friends  around  his  bed ;  he  took  each  one  by  the 
hand,  and  bidding  them  farewell,  said,  "  you  see, 
my  friends,  I  now  am  dying  in  the  same  faith,  I 
have  always  preached  unto  you,  and  I  would  not 
die  in  any  other  way  for  the  world.  O  keep 
close  to  Christ."  When  asked  to  take  some- 
thing to  moisten  his  throat,  he  answered,  "  no,  I 
do  not  want  to  delay  the  time  of  death  :  then, 
with  a  smile,  he  cried  out,  "  come.  Lord  Jesus." 
He  asked  again,  "  is  this  dying  ?"  when  some 
one  answered,  "  yes  ;"  he  replied,  <•<■  it  cannot  be, 
it  is  too  good." 

The    devout    Archbishop   Leighton   so    much 
dreaded  the  sight  of  weeping  friends,  around  his 
dying  bed,  that    he  wished  he  might  die  far  from 
such    interruptions  to  calm    devotion,   such   hin- 
drances to   heavenly   joy.     God  gave    him   that 
which    he  requested.     But  precious   in  the  sight 
of  the  Lord,  is  the  death  of  his  saints ;  and  it  is 
a  sight  so  profitable  to  men,  that  we  should  fore- 
go our  own  indulgences,  to  afford  this  privilege 
to    our    families  and   friends.     Thus     Darracott 
thought,   and   calling  for  his   wife   and  children, 
he  took   his  leave   of  them,  with  the  utmost  com- 
posure and    serenity  of  mind,   and  submission  to 
his  Father's   will.     Observing  them,  and   all  his 


MEMOIRS  OF    DARRACOTT.  139 

other  friends  weeping,  he  said  to  his  wife,  "  my 
dear  and  precious  wife,  why  do  you  weep  ;  you 
should  rejoice.  Rely  on  the  promises.  God 
will  never  leave  nor  forsake  you,  all  his  promises 
are  true  and  sure.  Well ;  I  am  going  from 
weeping  friends  to  congratulating  angels,  and  re- 
joicing saints  in  heaven  and  glory.  Blessed  be 
God,  all  is  well." 

He  asked,  <'  how  much  longer  will  it  be,  be- 
fore I  gain  my  dismission  ?"  it  was  answered, 
"  not  long."  "  Well,"  he  observed,  "  here  is 
nothing  on  earth  I  desire  !  here  I  am  waiting  ! 
what  a  mercy  to  be  in  Jesus!"  he  then  threw 
abroad  his  arms,  and  said,  "  he  is  coming,  he  is 
coming  !  but  surely  this  can't  be  death.  O  how 
astonishingly  is  the  Lord  softening  my  passage, 
surely  God  is  too  good  to  such  a  worm  !  O 
speed  thy  chariot  wheels,  why  are  they  so  long 
in  coming  ?  I  long  to  be  gone."  At  length  he 
exclaimed,  as  if  beginning  a  sentence,  "faith 
and  hope  :"  these  were  his  last  words.  About 
eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  lay  down,  and, 
just  before  twelve,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  whom  he 
so  much  loved. 

Thus,  like  Stephen,  amidst  the  pains  of  mar- 
tyrdom, and  the  anticipation  of  heaven,  he  ex- 
pired on  the  14th  of  March,  1759,  in  the  forty- 
second  year  of  his  age. 

On  opening  his  will,  it  was  found  to  contain, 
besides  the  disposal  of  his  property,  the  following 
sentences. 

"  It  is  my  will  and  desire,  that  I  be  buried  the 


140  MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT* 

fourth  or  fifth  day  after  my  decease,  about  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning ;  and  that  the  time  be 
kept  secret  from  all,  but  such  as  are  hereafter- 
mentioned,  who  are  the  only  persons  I  desire  may 
attend  me  to  my  last  bed.  My  desire  further  is, 
that  Mr.  Thomas,  Thomas  Snook,  William  Par- 
sons, Mr.  Cade,  Thomas  Harford,  and  Robert 
Pine,  carry  me  to  my  grave.  Let  Mr.  Varder  be 
sent  for  to  be  with  them  at  the  time,  and  let  him 
spend  one  half  hour  in  .prayer  in  my  parlour, 
before  they  carry  me  away.  At  the  grave  I  would 
have  nothing  said,  but  let  them  commit  my  flesh 
to  the  dust,  in  cheerful  hope  of  a  resurrection  to 
eternal  life  ;  let  them  all  be  concerned  to  give 
me  a  joyful  meeting  at  the  great  day. 

"  It  is  also  my  desire,  that  my  dear  brother, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Fawcett,  be  sent  for  to  preach  my 
funeral  sermon,  about  a  month  or  six  weeks  after 
my  decease,  as  it  shall  suit  his  own  conveniency. 
I  would  not  have  him  say  a  word  in  praise  of 
me,  but  tell  the  people,  that  having  loved  them, 
I  have  loved  them  to  the  end  ;  and,  as  a  proof  of 
it,  have  made  a  choice  of  this  word.  Phil.  iv.  1. 
«« Therefore,  my  brethren,  dearly  beloved  and 
longed  for,  my  joy  and  crown,  so  stand  fast  in 
the  Lord,  my  dearly  beloved  :"  it  is  my  last  and 
dying  charge  to  them,  praying  and  hoping  that 
God  will  help  my  dear  brother  to  carry  home 
the  exhortations  upon  their  hearts,  and  that  they 
will  carefully  attend  to  all  the  affectionate  argu- 
ments with  which  the  exhortation  is  urged. 

"  My    further  desire     is,    that  the    sermon  be 


MEMOtRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  141 

printed,  and  that  my  dear  people  would  not  fail 
to  have  each  of  them  one,  to  be  with  them  when 
they  will  see  my  face  no  more.  By  which,  though 
dead,  I  would  be  considered  as  speaking  the  most 
affectionately  and  tenderly  to  them.  If  my  dear 
brother  approves  of  it,  I  would  have  another 
edition  of  my  *  Scripture  Marks'  printed  and 
stitched  with  my  Funeral  Sermon ;  principally 
on  this  account,  that  my  dear  people  may  the 
better  remember  the  gospel  I  have  preached, 
and  what  is  that  stedfastness  in  the  faith,  which  I 
am  concerned  they  may  hold  fast ;  as  I  write  this, 
in  my  own  apprehension,  on  my  dying  bed,  they 
may  believe  me,  when  I  say,  I  have  no  other  view 
in  all  this,  but  the  good  of  souls. 

"  Before  this  will  be  communicated,  I  shall  be 
gone  to  my  Judge,  and  I  can,  and  do  rejoice,  that 
he  is  my  Saviour.  I  have  good  hope  through  grace, 
and  I  have  once  more  seriously  tried  the  founda- 
tion of  it,  and  I  find  it  will  stand  in  the  prospect 
of  eternity.  I  can,  blessed  be  God,  and  I  would 
not  but  I  should,  for  all  the  world,  be  able  to  give 
a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  me  ;  and  to  my 
« Scripture  Marks,'  I  refer,  as  the  solid  evidence 
of  my  interest  in  Christ,  who,  in  point  of  all 
dependance,  love,  and  esteem,  is  and  has  been, 
for  more  than  twenty  years,  my  '  all  in  all.' — 
Adieu." 

According  to  his  request,  his  body  was  opened, 
to  ascertain  the  disorder  of  which  he  died.  Five 
stones  were  found  in  the  left  kidney,  which  had 
been  so  inflamed,  that  putrefaction  had  nearly 


142  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

consumed  that  organ.  The  parts  contiguous, 
having  partaken  of  the  inflammation,  betrayed 
the  agony  which  he  must  have  endured.  How 
exalted,  then,  must  have  been  the  consolations 
which  rendered  him  so  insensible  of  his  afflictions! 
How  forcibly  this  case  illustrates  the  beautiful 
expressions  of  the  Apostle,  when  praying  for  the 
Collossians  !  "  That  ye  may  be  strengthened  with 
all  might,  according  to  his  glorious  power,  unto 
all  patience  and  long-suffering  with  joyfulness  ; 
giving  thanks  to  the  Father,  who  hath  made  us 
meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the 
Saints,  in  light." 

The  funeral  was  conducted  according  to  Mr. 
Darracott's  directions.  But  though  he  evidently 
designed  to  avoid  attracting  a  crowd  to  his  grave, 
the  time  could  not  be  kept  entirely  secret,  and 
immense  multitudes  attended  at  that  early  hour. 
The  darkness  was  dispelled  by  their  numerous 
torches,  and  its  silence  broken  by  their  sighs,  in- 
termingled with  the  praises  of  their  deceased  pas- 
tor. 

The  request  to  Mr.  Fawcett,  drew  from  him 
the  following  letter  to  Mrs.  Darracott. 

"  Kidderminster,  March  21,  1759. 

"  My  very  dear  Mrs.  Darracott, 

"  I  am  afflicted  in  all  your  affliction.     My  heart 

bleeds  for  you,   and  for  your    fatherless  children. 

Nothing   in   the   creature   can   repair  your  loss. 

The  kindness  of  surviving  mortals  can  never  heal 


MEMOIRS  OF  DARRACOTT.  143 

this  breach.  Wherewithal  shall  I  comfort  you  ? 
Alas  !  it  is  not  in  me.  I  have  lost  the  most  inti- 
mate Christian  friend  and  brother  that  ever  I  had 
upon  earth.  We  took  sweet  counsel  together, 
and  our  hearts  and  hands  were  united  in  the  same 
pursuits  for  two  and  twenty  years.  But  this  tie 
of  friendship  is  dissolved.  My  friend  and  bro- 
ther is  gone,  and  1  despair  of  ever  finding  an 
equal  in  these  mortal  abodes.  Thus  I  feel  for  my- 
self in  this  awful  event. 

"  But  mine  is  a  drop,  compared  with  youf 
ocean  of  grief.  Mine  is  a  loss,  not  to  be  men- 
tioned with  that  of  the  widow  and  fatherless. 
Who  can  comfort  you,  when  you  see  him  no  more 
in  your  own  house,  or  in  the  house  of  God  ?  No 
more  enjoy  the  meltings  of  his  inmost  soul  ?  No 
more  behold  that  cheerful,  self-possessing,  ever- 
smiling  countenance  ?  No  more  join  in  his  pray- 
ers and  praises  ?  Nor  be  a  witness  to  his  pioug 
labours,  his  delightful  intelligences,  or  his  over- 
flowing joy  and  triumph  through  all  ? 

""  Happy  for  us,  that  we  know  where  to  seek 
solid  an  satisfying  comfort,  even  amidst  this  sor- 
rowful scene  !  God  is  not  dead.  Jesus,  from 
whom  the  most  amiable  friends  derived  all  their 
loveliness  and  excellence,  is  the  same  yesterday, 
and  to-day,  and  for  ever.  The  promises  are  true 
and  faithful,  great  and  precious.  Providence  is 
but  accomplishing  the  designs  of  covenant  love. 
Out  of  the  eater  comes  meat,  and  out  of  the  un- 
savoury comes  sweetness.  Death,  indeed,  has 
conquered,  but   it   is  only    in  order  to  be   itself 


144  MEMOIRS    OF    DARBACOTT. 

entirely  abolished.  Our  friend  is  gone  from  us, 
but  he  is  with  infinitely  better  friends.  He  can 
no  more  serve  and  please  his  family  and  flock ; 
but  it  was  rich  grace  that  enabled  him  to  serve 
and  please  them  so  much,  and  so  long.  We  justly 
mourn  the  loss  we  sustain,  but  we  are  very  un- 
just, if  we  do  not  bless  and  praise  God,  that  ever 
we  had  such  a  friend,  such  a  relative  ;  that  we 
enjoyed  him  so  freely  and  fully,  and  reaped  such 
valuable  benefits  by  him. 

"  Nor  have  we  lost  him  now,  he  is  only  gone 
before,  got  the  start  of  us  in  this  instance,  as  he 
did  in  every  thing  that  was  important.  He  is  with 
him  who  is  the  God  of  the  widow,  and  the  father 
of  the  fatherless,  and  who  comforts  them  that  are 
cast  down  into  any  trouble.  He  is  where  we, 
through  grace,  are  also  going,  where  we  hope  to 
be  soon.  What  an  interview  will  that  be  ?  How 
will  our  friend  look  in  glory  ?  Where  will  all  our 
pains  and  tears  at  parting  be  then  ?  How  will 
that  meeting  reprove  our  present  unbelief? 

*'  O,  let  us  turn  our  complaints  into  praises  ! 
Blessed  be  God  for  such  a  friend  !  Adored  be 
divine  grace  for  all  his  loveliness  and  usefulness  ! 
that  he  did  so  much,  in  so  little  time  ;  that  he 
lived  and  died  as  all  will  wish  to  have  done  !  that 
he  rests  with  the  saints  in  their  everlasting  rest ! 
that  the  labourer  has  now  his  hire,  the  weary 
pilgrim  his  home,  and  the  heir  is  come  to  the 
full  possession  of  his  large,  his  glorious  inheri- 
tance. 


MEMOIRS    OP    DARRACOTT.  145 

"  May  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  which  made  a  dying 
bed  so  comfortable  to  our  friend,  take  the  com- 
forts of  Jesus  and  apply  them  to  me,  to  you,  to 
the  dear  children,  and  to  all  the  weeping  friends 
and  neighbours  around  you  !  There  are  comforts 
for  us  that  are  neither  few  nor  small ;  do  not  let 
us  overlook  them,  nor,  through  our  tears,  mistak-e 
them. 

"  I  thank  Miss  Darracott  for  her  letters,  and 
rejoice  at  the  discovery  therein  made  of  her  im- 
provements under  her  dear  father.  May  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  abundantly  bless,  and  comfort- 
ably provide  for  her,  and  her  dear  brother. 

"  I  desire  my  thanks  may  be  returned  to  Mr. 
Kennaway  for  his  letter,  and  for  the  copy  of  what 
is  written  on  the  back  of  the  will.  There  is  not 
any  room  for  objection  to  such  a  dying  request, 
otherwise  Mr.  Pearsall  would  have  done  every 
thing  better.  The  Lord  help  me  to  fulfil  this  last 
office  for  my  friend,  in  a  manner  worthy  of  such 
friendship  as  his. 

"  If  it  please  God  to  preserve  my  health,  and 
my  family's,  I  hope  to  be  with  you,  in  April,  or 
May.  If  you  should  discern  any  peculiar  reasons 
for  desiring  one  month,  or  Sabbath,  rather  than 
another,  I  beg,  madam,  you  will  be  pleased  to 
inform  me.  "  -  I  am  expecting  Mr.  Davey  here, 
from  Crediton,  and  both  he  and  myself  would  be 
disappointed,  if  I  should  not  be  at  home,  when  he 
is  here.  If  he  would  come  hither,  in  April,  I 
would  administer  our  Lord's  supper  the  last  Sab- 
bath in  that  month,  and  then  go  back  with  him, 
13  *, 


146  MEMOIRS    OF  DARRACOTT. 

SO  as  to  be  at  Wellington,  the  first  Lord's-day  in 
May.  I  am  writing  to  him.  Your,  and  your 
dear  children's  sympathizing  friend, 

«  B.  Fawcett." 

The  funeral  sermon  which  Mr.  Fawcett  preach- 
ed at  Wellington,  April  15,  exactly  a  month 
after  his  friend's  decease,  was,  by  his  command, 
silent  concerning  his  praise.  Th^  attentive  mul- 
titudes, their  sighs,  and  tears,  sufficiently  pro- 
claimed the  worth  of  their  departed  shepherd. 
And  in  the  following  picture  of  a  faithful  pastor, 
Mr.  Fawcett  evidently  designed  to  give  the  like- 
ness of  his   friend. 

"  If  a  gospel  minister  has  a  heart  ever  glowing 
with  love  to  Christ,  and  love  to  immortal  souls  ; 
if  this  love  makes  him  abundant  in  labours,  fer- 
vent in  spirit,  serving  the  lord,  and  glad  to  spend 
and  be  spent  for  the  people  committed  to  his 
care  ;  if  by  this  love  he  is  evidently  superior  to 
selfish  views,  above  the  influence  of  filthy  lucre, 
full  of  anxious  concern  to  convince  and  convert 
sinners,  and  edify  saints,  ready  to  every  good 
word  and  work,  and  yearning  with  bowels  of 
compassion  towards  the  ignorant,  the  stupid,  the 
profligate,  the  doubting  and  distressed,  the  weak 
and  feeble-minded,  the  poor  and  mean  ;  if  this 
love,  not  only  pours  out  a  continual  torrent  of 
faithful,  aftectionate,  heart-searching  ministra- 
tions from  the  pulpit,  both  in  season  and  out  of 
season,  but  opens  his  house  at  all  times,  as  a 
common  refuge  for  the  distressed,  and  especially 
for  soul  distresses  ;     if   this  love  opens    his  way 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  147 

into  the  houses  of  all  his  friends,  and  neighbours, 
not  to  serve  himself,  but  them,  and  especially  by 
bringing   eternal    things   home   to  their  personal 
converse  and   immediate    attention  ;  if  this   love 
leaves  him  no  idle  moments,  and  shews  him  to  be 
most  of  all  in  his  element,  when  most  directly  pro- 
moting the  beginning,   progress,  or  establishment 
of  the   divine    life  in   those    around   him;  if  this 
love   makes  the   prosperity  of  the   churches,  and 
especially  of  the    particular   church   over  which 
he  presides,  his   chief  joy  ;  in  a  word,  if  in  con- 
sequence of  this   love,   he   lives,  and  best  of  all 
enjoys  himself,  when  his  people    stand  fast  in  the 
Lord  ;  is  there   not  a  beauty    and  excellence  in 
such  a  character,  which  forces   esteem,  and  obli- 
ges even  the  enemies  of  Christ  and  godliness,  ei- 
ther silently  to  admire  it,  or  (which  is   sometimes 
the  case)  freely  speak  their  approbation  of  it,  or 
in    some    way    to    acknowledge    its    excellence. 
Was  not  this  the  meaning  of  what  a  profane  gen- 
tleman  once   said  to  his  friend,    as  they  met  Mr. 
Darracott,  going  to  his   meeting-house,  to  preach 
on  a  week  day,  "  there,"  says   he,  "  goes  a  man, 
that  serves  God  as  if  the  Devil  was  in  him  !" 

The  letters  of  condolence  which  Mrs.  Darra- 
cott received,  were  too  numerous  for  insertion. 
The  following,  from  Mr.  Walker,  of  Truro,  af- 
forded the  mourning    widow    much   consolation. 


148  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

"  Truro,  June  21,  1769. 

"  Dear  Mrs.  Darracott, 

"  I  have  read  in  dear  Mr.  Fawcetfs  sermon; 
the  Triumphs  of  Free  Grace,  at  the  most  inte- 
resting season.  What  a  blessing  to  you,  that  the 
happy  subject  of  them  was  your  husband,  to  me, 
that  he  was  my  friend  !  I  doubt  not,  through 
grace,  such  a  refreshing  scene  has  mightily  con- 
firmed your  faith.  And  how  tender  the  bowels 
of  infinite  mercy,  that,  when  you  should  be  called 
to  the  greatest  trial  you  can  possibly  have  to  go 
through  in  the  world,  that  very  trial  should  be 
attended  with  circumstances,  so  irresistibly,  (I  had 
almost  said  fitted  t<D  reconcile  you  to  it)  and  even 
make  you  joyful  under  it !  The  loss  of  so  kind  a 
partner  is  sensibly  afflicting.  But  time  will  con- 
tribute to  reconcile  you  to  that.  Your  greater 
loss  is  that  of  a  near,  faithful,  and  excellent 
friend,  example,  and  helper.  Your  loss  on  this 
side,  it  is  probable,  will  be  increasingly  felt,  as 
time,  and  change  of  circumstances  and  ministers, 
advance  upon  you.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  say, 
that  it  is  here  you  need  to  be  on  your  guard,  that 
you  may  always  patiently  submit  to  the  perfect 
will  of  your  heavenly  Father.  May  you  be  enabled 
to  say,  in  every  case,  and  peculiarly  in  the  want 
of  so  quickening  a  guide,  *'  Even  this,  O  Lord,  I 
needed  also,  to  make  me  more  entirely  seek  my 
all  in  thee." 

"  In  the  sense  of  what  you  have  lost,  it  will  be 
very  natural    for  you  to  reflect  on  yourself,  that 


MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT.  149 

you  did  not  more  value  and  more  profit  by  the 
blessing,  while  it  was  in  your  possession.  Possi- 
bly, in  such  reviews,  Satan  may  be  attempting  to 
cast  in  his  accusations,  and  to  discourage  you  in 
the  thought  of  your  unprofitableness.  I  beseech 
you,  yield  nothing  to  him,  nor  give  up  the  least 
jot  of  your  confidence  in  God,  through  the  merits 
of  Jesus,  which  is  what  he  waits  for.  Unprofit- 
ableness is  a  just  cause  of  humiliation  in  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  but  never  of  doubting  ;  rather  should 
we  be  thankful  for  anything  received,  under  what- 
ever means,  since  the  measure,  as  well  as  the 
means,  is  the  gift  of  God. 

"  I  am  much  mistaken  in  you,  if  you  are  not 
enabled  to  adorn,  and  will  not  do  so,  the  gospel 
of  God  our  Saviour,  in  your  meek  and  cheerful 
submission.  You  had  been  taught,  long  before, 
the  Christian's  lot,  and  that  it  is  through  much 
tribulation  we  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God  ;  wherefore  the  day  of  sorrow  has  not  come 
upon  you  unawares;  I  trust  it  never  will  be  able 
to  do  so.  I  am  sure  it  cannot,  while  you  have 
upon  your  heart,  both  that  God  ordereth  all 
things  to  you,  and  that  he  will  make  all  things 
work  together  for  your  good.  Still  you  have  your 
children  left  you.  The  Lord  make  them  your 
comfort,  by  pouring  upon  them  a  double  portion 
of  their  father's  spirit. 

"  I  am  greatly  obliged  to  Miss  Kitty  for  her 

favour.     Were   I  nearer  to  her,  I  would  say  to 

her,  and  I  am  persuaded  she  would  not  take  it  ill, 

'  Comfort  your  mother,   be   more  careful  of  her 

13* 


150  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

than  ever,  study  in  all  things  to  act  as  she  would 
have  you,  and  let  your  conduct  be  always  such  as 
IS  suited  to  maintain  and  improve  all  reverence 
towards  her  in  your  two  little  brothers.' 

"  I  doubt  not  you  are  sincerely  concerned,  that 
good  Mr.  Darracott's  place  may  be  properly  sup- 
plied. His  poor  people  !  I  feel  and  pray  for 
them,  desiring  to  be  affectionately  remembered 
to  them.      I  am, 

"  Dear  Mrs.  Darracott, 
"  Your  most  obedient  and  faithful  servant  in  Christ, 

"  Samuel  Walker." 

Mrs.  Darracott  passed  the  rest  of  her  life  in 
widowhood,  and  spent  her  last  years  with  her 
daughter,  at  Romsey.  She  died  on  the  28th  of 
December,  1799,  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  her 
age.  She  had  joined  the  church  at  Barnstaple, 
when  only  seventeen  :  and,  towards  the  close  of 
life,  used  to  reflect  with  grateful  pleasure,  that 
she  had  been  enabled  to  serve  the  Lord  nearly 
seventy  years.  Her  wise  and  cheerful  piety  ren- 
dered her,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  highly  agreeable 
and  useful  to  those  young  persons  who  were  in- 
troduced to  her  company.  She  often  longed  for 
the  hour  of  dismission,  which  she  at  last  welcomed 
with  calm  triumph. 

At  her  particular  request,  her  corpse  was  re- 
moved to  Wellington,  to  be  interred  with  the 
remains  of  her  husband.  When  the  tomb  was 
opened  for  her,  a  person  who  had  been,  forty 
years  before,  deeply  affected  under  Mr.  Darra- 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  151 

cott's  ministry,  but  had  turned  aside  to  the  world, 
came  to  see  what  was  left  of  her  former  pastor. 
The  sight  of  his  bones  so  forcibly  recalled  the 
views  and  feelings  which  his  animating  voice  had 
first  produced,  that  she  burst  forth  into  the  most 
violent  expressions  of  alarm  and  anguish.  Thus 
the  righteous  man  "  being  dead  yet  speaketh  :" 
from  his  tomb  issues  a  voice,  at  once  alarming 
to  the  wicked,  and  grateful  to  the  believer  in 
Jesus. 

Only  one  such  instance  occurred,  at  Mrs.  Dar- 
racott's  interment ;  for,  during  the  forty  years 
which  had  elapsed  since  her  husband's  death,  a 
generation  had  gone  down  to  the  dust,  and  few 
were  left  who  knew  the  Star  which  had  once 
shined  in  the  West.  But  had  Darracott's  grave 
been  opened,  within  a  few  years  after  his  death, 
it  is  probable,  from  the  character  which  some  of 
his  former  hearers  betrayed,  that  the  sight  of  his 
corpse  would  have  stung  several  of  them  to  the 
heart. 


152  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 


CHAPTER  V. 


CONCLUSION. 


As  we  naturally  wish  to  have  seen  those  whose 
tale  has  excited  admiration  and  esteem,  it  may 
not  be  unacceptable  to  the  reader  to  be  furnished 
with  a  description  of  Mr.  Darracott's  person. 
He  was  slender,  and  rather  under,  than  above, 
the  middle  stature.  His  countenance  was  all 
animation,  benevolence,  and  happiness.  His  eye 
darted,  not  the  flash  of  genius,  but  the  mild 
beam  of  religion.  The  expression  of  his  mouth, 
when  unopened,  gave  a  pleasing  promise  of  the 
law  of  kindness  which  was  upon  his  lips,  and  the 
love  of  his  God  which  was  in  his  heart.  His 
looks  spake  all  the  greatness  of  goodness. 

The  manners  of  Mr.  Darracott  were,  as  those 
of  a  minister  should  be,  graceful  yet  simple, 
indicating  the  man  who,  from  benevolent  conde- 
scension, lived  '  among  the  poor,  while  he  was 
ever  prepared  to  instruct  and  delight  the  cul- 
tivated mind.  All  his  movements  told  that  his 
heart  bounded  with  goodness,  and  his  soul  was 
on  fire  for  action.  But  his  constitution  was  not^ 
vigorous,  and  his  body  gave  early  and  frequent 
intimations,  that  it  could  not  long  support  the 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  155 

expenditure  to    which  it  was  doomed   by  his  ar- 
dent spirit. 

His  disposition,  whether  it  should  be  ascribed 
wholly  to  religion,  or,  in  some  measure,  to  natu- 
ral temperament,  was  very  lovely.  For,  with  all 
that  ardour  which  endeared  him  to  the  church, 
and  to  his  friends,  he  was  gentle  and  forgiving  to 
his  enemies.  It  was  frequently  observed  of  him, 
that,  bold  as  a  lion  in  the  pulpit,  he  was,  in  the 
intercourse  of  life,  meek  as  a  lamb.  Amidst 
considerable  opposition,  he  was  never  roused  to 
anger.  In  all  his  letters,  he  wisely  abstained 
from  any  mention  of  his  enemies  ;  and,  when  a 
member  of  his  family  expressed  a  resolution  to 
have  no  dealings  with  a  tradesman  who  had  in- 
jured him,  he  strongly  censured  the  spirit,  in- 
sisting that  no  difference  should  be  made,  ex- 
cept in  favour  of  the  ofi'ender. 

As  it  is  in  domestic  life,  that  the  power  of 
religion  is  most  unequivocally  displayed,  Mr. 
Darracott  was  distinguished  by  kind  and  devout 
attentions  to  the  present  and  eternal  happiness  of 
all  who  were  about  him.  The  incessant  solici- 
tude for  the  comfort  of  his  wife,  which  is  expres- 
sed in  many  of  his  private  papers,  left  an  impres- 
sion on  her  mind,  which,  through  a  widowhood 
of  forty  years,  she  cherished  with  undiminished 
fondness.  His  dying  exhortations  to  his  children 
displayed  the  heart  of  a  Christian  father,  soli- 
citous only  that  they  might  possess  the  godliness 
which  has  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is, 
and  of  that  which  is  to  come. 


154  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

As  a  scholar  he  was  not  eminent ;  for  if  some- 
thing must  be  mentioned  under  the  head  of  faults, 
it  may  be  here  observed,  that  his  censors  re- 
proached him  for  that  kind  of  zeal  which  precludes 
close  study.  He  contented  himself  with  the 
portion  of  literature  which  he  brought  with  him 
from  the  seminary  of  Doddridge.  Were  none  to 
apply  themselves  to  the  study  of  biblical  criticism, 
the  cause  of  religion,  as  well  as  of  literature, 
would  essentially  suffer.  But  Risdon  Darracott 
was  better  engaged.  Had  he  lived  to  the  age 
when  youthful  fires  subside,  and  when  the  useful- 
ness of  a  minister  is  seen  more  in  the  edification 
of  Christians  than  in  the  conversion  of  the  ungodly, 
he  might  have  felt  the  want  of  those  additions 
which  many  others  were  making  to  their  stores 
of  knowledge.  He  felt,  however,  as  a  man  on 
the  verge  of  the  grave  ;  and,  warned  by  the 
frequent  attacks  of  disease,  that  his  course  would 
be  short,  he  laboured  to  accomplish  immedi- 
ately the  great  objects  of  his  ministry,  instead  of 
preparing  for  more  distant  usefulness.  As  he 
continually  enjoyed  the  success  of  his  labours, 
the  converts  added  to  the  church  brought  with 
them  the  freshness  and  animation  which  kept 
others  alive  ;  and,  as  he  scarcely  outlived  the 
age  of  physical  force  and  animal  spirits,  his 
preaching  was  never  deficient  in  interest. 

His  "  Scripture  Marks,"  which  are  a  tolerably 
fair  specimen,  prove  that  his  composition  pos- 
sessed the  prime  excellencies  of  purity,  perspicuity, 
and  vivacity.      To    sublimity   of  imagination,  or 


MEMOIRS     OP    DARRACOTT.  155 

elegance  of  style,  he  never  aspired.  His  affec- 
tions, however,  abundantly  supplied  the  defects 
of  his  fancy,  and  threw  a  charm  over  his  language, 
which  endeared  him  to  pious  minds. 

In  the  capacity  of  a  divine,  he  was  accurate 
rather  than  profound.  According  to  the  nomen- 
clature, which  obtains  among  Christians,  he  was 
a  Calvinist.  But  his  belief  of  the  divine  sove- 
reignty, and  of  the  election  of  grace,  was  not  a 
bigotted  attachment  to  a  system  ;  it  was  the 
result  of  a  deep  conviction  of  the  total  ruin  of 
our  nature,  and  an  entire  dependance  on  divine 
influence,  as  the  only  source  of  true  religion. 
His  system,  therefore,  never  appeared,  but  where 
it  was  needed  to  humble  man,  to  inspire  a  cheer- 
ful confidence  in  divine  grace,  or  to  secure  to 
God,  the  glory  due  to  him  for  our  salvation. 

Though  he  was  a  very  captivating  preacher, 
he  would  not,  as  a  writer  of  sermons,  have 
acquired  celebrity  from  the  press.      The  mode  in  m^ 

which  he  prepared  his  public  discourses  might 
be  called  superficial.  He  drew  up  the  outline 
with  logical  exactness,  usually  with  an  eye  to  the 
subject  of  the  discourse,  expressed  in  the  title, 
rather  than  to  the  passage  on  which  it  was 
founded.  A  copious  store  of  texts  was  noted  down 
for  illustration  and  proof,  but  without  that  passing 
gloss,  which,  by  eliciting  the  import  and  the  spirit 
of  the  Scriptures,  forms  the  riches  of  a  sermon. 
He  scarcely  ever  provided  those  right  words, 
whose  felicity  and  energy,  render  them  as 
nails  fastened  in  a  sure  place.     Hence,  had  it 


156  MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT. 

not  been  for  the  passions,  which  are  always 
eloquent,  his  preaching  had  been  unimpressive. 
But  his  written  sermons,  like  those  of  Whitefield, 
of  whom  he  was  a  counterpart  upon  a  reduced 
scale,  convey  no  adequate  idea  of  his  preaching. 
The  fire  of  his  heart,  the  light  of  his  eye,  the 
affection  of  his  tone,  and  the  solemnity  of  his 
manner,  communicated  an  inexpressible  interest, 
and  made  common  thoughts  appear  striking. 

Of  his  sermons,  the  following  letter  may  give 
gome  idea. 

"  My  dear  friend, 

"  Never  was  a  letter  more  seasonably  sent 
than  your  last,  never  could  a  word  be  more 
suitably  adapted  to  my  present  case,  than  that 
you  copied  for  me  of  dying  Joshua.  It  so  struck 
me,  that  I  could  not  get  it  out  of  my  thoughts, 
and  I  could  not  but  consider  it,  as  a  word  given 
me  to  preach  upon,  the  ensuing  day  :  and  the 
rather,  as  the  subject  I  had  been  studying,  most 
of  the  last  week,  I  found  myself  so  barren 
upon,  that  I  was  questioning  within  my- 
self, whether  I  should  insist  upon  it,  and  yet 
till  this  passage  came  to  me  in  your  letter,  I 
could  think  of  no  other.  But  on  this,  my  whole 
soul  fixed  with  sweetness  ;  it  was  the  very  word 
I  wanted  for  myself,  as  I  had  been  conflicting  so 
much  of  late  with  unbelief,  and  I  was  in  hopes  it 
would  be  of  service  to  many  of  my  people,  as  I 
know  that  mine  was  alsp  their  own  case.  And 
now,  I  cannot  but  adopt  the  words  of  David  to 
Abigail,  and  say,  '  blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  who 


MEMOIKS     OF    DARRACOTT.  157 

sent  your  letter  so  opportunely  to  me,  and  blessed 
be  your  advice,  and  blessed  be  you,  who  have 
kept  me  from  continuing  in  a  frame  so  provoking 
to  God,  so  uncomfortable  to  myself,  and  so  dis- 
honourable to  my  profession.' 

"  I  have  noW;  the  pleasure  to  inform  you, 
through  the  rich  mercy  of  God,  that  the  conside- 
ration of  this  passage  yesterday,  has,  for  the  pre- 
sent, banished  every  unbelieving  and  distressing 
thought,  has  strengthened  my  faith,  and  confirm^ 
ed  my  hope  in  the  divine  promises.  I  first  took 
a  view^  of  some  of  those  gracious  things  God  has 
promised  to  do  for  his  people,  with  regard  to 
grace  here,  and  glory  hereafter,  and  every  other 
good  thing  that  was  necessary  in  the  way ;  and 
then  showed  that  none  of  these  promises  could 
fail  being  accomplished,  as  they  were  all  made 
from  a  fore-knowledge  of  our  persons  and  cases, 
from  pure  and  unmerited  love,  were  the  promises 
of  a  God  of  almighty  power,  who  could  easily 
effect  whatever  he  promised, — a  God  who  was 
unchangeable,  and  whose  thoughts  of  love  are, 
and  must  be,  the  same  from  one  eternity  to 
another, — a  God  of  inviolable  truth  and  faithful- 
ness, and  never  can  once  alter  the  thing  that  is 
gone  out  of  his  mouth, — promises  that  are  farther 
secured  to  us  by  the  oath  of  God,  and  everyone 
sealed  by  the  blood  of  his  own  Son, — promises 
which  the  Spirit  of  all  truth  has  indited,  and  the 
experience  of  all  the  saints  have  sealed  the 
truth  of." 

Mr.  Darracott  was  still  more   distinguished  as 
14 


158  MEMOIRS     OF  DARRACOTT. 

a  pastor  than  as  a  preacher.  He  was  far  from 
resembling  those,  whose  neglect  of  their  flocks 
reminds  us  of  what  the  sacred  writer  says  of 
the  cruel  "  ostrich,  that  leaveth  her  eggs  in  the 
earth,  and  warmeth  them  in  the  sand,  and  for- 
getteth  that  the  foot  of  the  traveller  may  crush 
them,  or  that  the  wild  beast  may  break  them  : 
she  is  hardened  against  her  young  ones,  as  if  they 
were  not  hers  ;  her  labour  is  in  vain,  without 
fear."  Mr.  Darracott  watched,  with  unwearied 
diligence,  for  the  fruit  of  his  preaching.  This 
rendered  his  sermons  appropriate,  and  induced  him 
constantly  to  choose  the  most  important  and  useful 
subjects ;  so  that  his  hearers  always  found  him 
preaching  about  something  which  they  felt  to  be 
of  the  utmost  consequence  to  themselves. 

In  the  more  private  attentions  the  pastor  of 
Wellington  was  unrivalled.  He  was  a  bishop 
that  exercised  hospitality  ;  for  his  house  was  ever 
open  to  the  enquiring  traveller,  who  was  asking 
the  way  to  Zion,  with  his  face  thitherward.  He 
convinced  all  such,  by  his  benevolent  counte- 
nance and  his  instructive  voice,  that  their  ap- 
plications were  not  considered  as  intrusions. 

His  method  of  w^riting  letters  to  his  own 
hearers,  which  he  sometimes  read  to  them  him- 
self, was  singular.  Perhaps  it  would  succeed  in 
few  hands  but  his  own.  Uncommon  prudence 
and  unbounded  benevolence  would  be  required, 
to  avoid  giving  offence,  in  addresses  so  pointed 
and  personal  ;  but  it  does  not  appear,  that  any  of 
these  truly  pastoral  letters  alienated  from  him  a 


MEMOIRS  OF    DARRACOTT.  159 

single  hearer  ;  and  by  such  efforts,  how  fully  did 
he  clear  himself  of  the  blood  of  every  man  ! 

The  solicitude  he  felt  to  win  souls,  peculiarly 
deserves  to  be  held  up  to  imitation,  as  no  minister 
can  hope  to  share  in  his  honours  and  delights, 
without  a  portion  of  his  faithful  benevolent  spirit. 
If  a  month  elapsed  without  some  tokens  of  the 
divine  influence  accompanying  his  ministry,  this 
good  man  began  to  mourn,  and  tell  it  to  his 
friends  around,  that  they  might  plead  with  God 
for  him.  The  pastoral  lists  he  kept,  contributed 
much  to  remind  him  of  the  state  of  his  flock,  to 
recall  to  him  the  success  with  which  the  Re- 
deemer had  crowned  his  past  labours,  and  thus  to 
furnish  the  most  mighty  stimulus  to  new  ex- 
ertions. 

For  public  spirit,  Mr.  Darracott  deserves  pecu- 
liar honour  ;  as  it  was  not  the  characteristic  of 
his  times.  The  interests  of  religion,  in  all  the 
churches  around,  were  the  object  of  his  most 
lively  solicitude  ;  for,  he  was  far  from  supposing, 
that  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ  is  bound  to  regard 
only  that  particular  flock,  which  he  has  engaged 
to  feed.  Yet  such  a  notion  has  often  been  the 
sin  of  independent  ministers,  the  bane  and  op- 
probrium of  the  Independent  cause. 

No  part  of  Mr.  Darracott's  ministry  contributed 
more  to  his  usefulness,  than  village-preaching. 
He  was,  indeed,  peculiarly  formed  for  this  line 
of  labour.  The  simplicity  of  his  style,  per- 
haps also,  the  mediocrity  of  his  thoughts,  added 
to  the  vivacity  and  sweetness  of  his  manner,  gave 


160  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

him  the  high  praise  of  the  poor  man's  preacher ; 
which  is,  indeed,  the  closest  imitation  of  our 
Lord,  of  whom  it  is  recorded,  that  "  the  common 
people  heard  him  gladly." 

If,  in  this  line,  the  men  of  humbler  talents 
may  hope  to  excel ;  here,  also,  the  more  brilliant 
preacher  should  labour  to  excel.  The  simplicity 
which  village-preaching  not  only  admits,  but 
demands,  would  very  much  improve  the  style  and 
manner  of  those  who  are  in  danger  of  shooting 
over  the  heads,  and  never  coming  near  the  hearts 
of  their  hearers.  Nothing  is  further  from  truth, 
than  the  notion  that  preaching  to  the  poor  and 
illiterate,  would  spoil  a  man  for  the  more  polished 
hearers  ;  for  our  Lord  has  so  entwined  our  duty 
and  our  interest,  that  he  who  acquires,  by  de- 
scending to  the  peasantry,  an  air  of  unembar- 
rassed earnestness,  seizes  the  surest  means  of 
commanding  the  attention  of  the  genteel. 

Mr.  Darracott's  diligence  in  the  distribution  of 
tracts,  has,  in  our  days,  become  a  common  excel- 
lence. But  with  him  it  was  entitled  to  high 
praise  ;  for  no  tract  societies  had  then  furnished 
variety  to  suit  every  taste,  or  roused  even  luke- 
warmness  by  the  force  of  example.  It  was, 
however,  to  the  honour  of  Williams,  of  Kidder- 
minster, and  some  other  wealthy  laymen,  that 
they  assisted  this  faithful  pastor,  whose  heart  was 
too  large  for  his  purse.  Many  who  are  busy  in 
getting  money,  complain  that  they  have  no  time 
to  distribute  bibles  or  tracts  ;  but  they  might,  by 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  161 

the  hands  of  their  pastor,  disperse  abroad  the 
evidence,  that  in  them  was  fulfilled  the  predic- 
tion, "  I  will  consecrate  their  gain  unto  the 
Lord,  and  their  substance  unto  the  Lord  of  the 
whole  earth." 

In  Mr.  Darracott,  every  lively,  faithful  minister, 
found  a  hearty  friend.  The  most  eminent,  in 
different  denominations,  were  his  correspondents 
and  visitors  ;  for  there  was  nothing  unsocial  or 
envious  in  his  composition.  By  this,  he  proved 
the  eminence  of  his  religion,  and  powerfully  pro- 
moted his  usefulness.  He  who  will  never 
co-operate  with  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  will 
do,  comparatively,  little  ;  for  there  are  many 
things  we  cannot  do  single-handed  ;  but  the 
minister  who  wins  the  hearts  of  others,  strength- 
ens their  hands  and  fires  their  zeal.  It  was 
forbidden  to  Mr.  Fawcett  to  make  the  funeral 
sermon  an  Eloge  on  his  departed  brother  ;  but  no 
eulogium  could  have  been  more  honourable  than 
that  which  he  uttered  in  his  letter  of  condolence 
to  the  widow  :  "  I  have  lost  the  most  intimate 
christian  friend  and  brother  that  ever  I  had  upon 
earth.  Our  hearts  and  hands  have  been  united 
in  the  same  pursuits,  for  two  and  twenty  years. 
He  is  gone,  and  I  despair  of  ever  finding  his 
equal  in  these  mortal  abodes."  Such  friendships 
as  these  among  ministers,  tend  to  magnify  their 
oflice  ;  while  nothing  degrades  them  more,  than 
mutual  envy  and  detraction. 

The  spirit  which  Mr.  Darracott  displayed  at 
14^ 


162  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

the  college,  augured  well.  While  his  humility 
and  personal  religion,  secured  to  him  the  heart  of 
his  tutor,  his  diligence  in  study  prepared  him  for 
the  respectable  discharge  of  his  future  duties. 
We  may,  indeed,  expect  excellent  ministers, 
where  we  see  humble,  devout,  and  industrious 
students  ;  for,  the  same  spirit  which  produced 
docility  at  Northampton,  rendered  Darracott  too 
tender  of  the  body  of  Christ,  to  occasion  a 
division  at  Chumleigh,  and  enabled  him  to  outlive 
all  opposition  at  Wellington.  But  an  ungovern- 
able spirit  in  a  subordinate  station,  portends 
fierce  tyranny,  or  cold  haughty  reserve,  when  in 
the  seat  of  office  and  of  power.  May  our  semi- 
naries be  filled  with  such  students,  and  our 
churches  supplied  with  such  pastors  as  Risdon 
Darracott. 

The  affectionate,  profitable  correspondence 
carried  on  between  the  tutor  and  his  former 
pupil,  was  much  to  the  praise  and  advantage  of 
both.  Doddridge  shewed  the  heart  of  a  scriptural 
teacher,  "  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints  for  the 
work  of  the  ministry,"  by  the  intercourse  which 
he  maintained  with  the  young  men,  after  they 
left  his  house  ;  and  Darracott  ever  proved  his 
personal  religion  and  zeal  for  the  success  of  Jiis 
ministry,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  courted  the 
counsel  and  exhortations  of  the  former  guide  of 
his  studies.  Thus  he  was  rendered  anxious  to  be 
able  to  give  a  good  account  of  his  progress,  to 
one,  in  whose  esteem  he  wished  to  live  ;  and  the 
tutor  was  kept  alive  to  the  great  objects  of  his 


MEMOIRS   OF  BARRACOTT.  16S 

Institution,  by  what  he  heard  of  the  success  which 
had  attended  the  labours  of  his  favourite  pupil. 
There  are  no  places,  where  these  details  are 
more  needed,  than  at  colleges,  where  the  study  of 
languages,  science,  and  the  technical  part  of 
preaching,  too  frequently  turns  away  attention 
from  the  great  objects  of  the  ministry  ;  nor  are 
such  details  ever  so  likely  to  be  well  received 
and  improved  by  the  students,  as  when  they  come 
from  one  who  was  the  child  and  glory  of  their 
own  alma  mate?'. 

For  the  undiminished  ardour  of  his  religion,  and 
the  continuance  of  this  success,  Mr.  Darracott 
deserves  peculiar  notice.  From  the  hour  of  his  con- 
version, to  his  death,  he  pursued  one  rapid  course, 
keeping  the  goal  incessantly  in  view.  Neither 
science  with  its  mental  delights,  nor  pleasure 
with  its  sensual  gratifications,  nor  wealth  with  its 
honours,  could  successfully  throw  the  fatal  apple 
to  turn  him  aside  from  his  course,  or  even  check 
the  rapidity  of  his  progress.  Rare  felicity  !  yet 
much  to  be  desired  ! 

He  began  divinely.  Many,  who  afterwards 
prove  eminent  blessings,  come  from  college  with 
an  ambition  to  shine  as  popular  preachers,  or  as 
men  of  genius  and  literary  eminence,  rather  than 
to  glorify  Christ  in  the  conversion  of  his  chosen. 
After  some  time  spent  under  this  unhallowed 
inspiration,  they  begin  to  see  the  vanity  of  their 
pursuit,  to  despair  of  gaining  distinction  in  this 
line,  or  to  feel  that  such  eminence  leaves  the 
conscience  defiled  with  the  guilt  of  self-seeking, 


164  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

and  the  heart  devoid  of  the  consolations  of  use- 
fulness. Afflictions  are  kindly  sent  to  accelerate, 
by  increasing  personal  religion,  the  operation  of 
these  reflections  ;  and  thus,  the  gay  hearers  at 
length  lose  their  favourite  orator,  because  the 
church  of  God  has  gained  a  faithful  preacher, 
who  is  wise  to  win  souls  !  Happy  is  it  when  the 
new  wine  thus  works  itself  clear. 

But,  for  many  reasons,  we  may  regret  the 
necessity  of  such  conversions.  For  it  is  not 
certain,  that  he  who  begins  as  a  trifler  in  the 
pulpit,  may  not  trifle  till  he  drops  into  the  grave. 
Or,  while  in  this  spirit,  he  may  by  righteous 
judgment  be  left  to  fall  into  some  sin,  which  may 
blast  his  reputation,  and  with  it,  all  hope  of 
future  usefulness.  But,  should  he  survive  this 
dangerous  period,  he  will  look  back  with  bitter 
regret,  upon  some  of  the  best  years  of  his  life 
prostituted  to  a  mean  ambition.  Had  Risdon 
Darracott  thus  deferred,  till  thirty,  his  holy 
apostolic  devotedness  to  his  Master's  service, 
half  his  twenty  years  of  labour,  which  were  all 
that  heaven  allotted  him,  would  have  expired 
before  he  began  to  work.  It  was  his  happiness, 
however,  to  work  while  it  was  day,  from  the 
morning  when  he  blazed  forth  in  the  vicinity  of 
Northampton,  till  he  sunk  in  the  shadows  of  the 
night  of  death,  when  no  man  can  work. 

By  this  means,  Mr.  Darracott  seized  the  most 
valuable  portion  of  his  time,  and  turned  it  to 
good  account.  There  is  an  inexpressible  charm 
in    youth,    which  excites  the   sympathies  of  the 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  165 

young,  and  the  benevolence  of  the  aged.  But 
when  youthful  simplicity  is  seen  in  a  pulpit,  it 
only  requires  the  wisdom  of  eminent  piety,  to 
render  it  at  once  lovely  and  mighty,  to  charm 
those  of  the  same  age,  who  will  always  be  a 
most  numerous  class  of  hearers,  and  to  surprise 
the  older,  who  after  having  been  accustomed  to 
look  back  to  former  days  for  all  that  was  valua- 
ble, are  delighted  to  see,  that  provision  is  made 
for  the  edification  of  the  church  on  earth,  when 
they  should  be  joining  in  the  worship  of  heaven. 

But,  unhappily,  very  young  preachers  often 
serve  only  to  amuse  their  own  contemporaries, 
and  to  disappoint  their  seniors.  Mistaking  the 
lowest  for  the  highest  of  the  human  faculties,  and 
fancying  that  imagination  is  a  proof  of  genius ; 
they  waste  the  most  precious,  sacred  moments,  in 
stringing  flowers  to  form  May-day  garlands,  when 
they  should  be  drawing  the  bow  of  victory,  and 
aiming  the  arrow  at  the  heart.  Surprise,  there- 
fore, heightens  delight,  when  a  preacher  is  seen, 
like  Spencer,  of  Liverpool,  with  the  soul  of  a 
man  in  the  body  of  a  boy,  with  almost  infantile 
graces  in  looks  and  tones,  which  serve  only  to 
take  off  the  sombre  cast  from  the  most  serious 
thoughts,  on  the  most  awful  themes. 

Without  acquiring  the  extensive  reputation  of 
the  youth  just  mentioned,  Mr.  Darracott  improved 
all  his  early  advantages  to  the  noblest  purpose, 
and  thus  availed  himself  of  the  most  useful  period 
of  life.  For  as  we  have  more  vivacity  in  youth 
to  devise  new  schemes,  and  more  vigour  for  their 


166  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

execution,  so  it  is  the  usual  course  of  our  gracious 
Lord,  to  smile  on  the  first  labours  of  his  sincere 
servants,  that  he  may  satisfy  them  early  with  his 
mercy,  and  cause  them  to  rejoice  in  his  service  all 
their  days. 

The  honours  which  Mr.  Darracott  so  early  ac- 
quired, he  preserved  to  the  end.  Any  open  depar- 
ture from  the  holiness  of  the  Gospel,  embitters 
the  Christian's  subsequent  days,  and  blasts  the 
genuine  honours  of  the  minister,  whatever  eclat 
he  may  afterwards  acquire  with  a  party ;  and 
even  a  relapse  into  lukewarmness  may  exchange 
the  delights  of  the  early  part  of  life,  for  a 
disreputable  and  comfortless  old  age.  This 
should,  indeed,  reconcile  us  to  the  loss  of  such 
men  as  Mr.  Darracott  in  the  prime  of  life.  If 
they  have  done  their  work,  it  is  their  privilege 
to  retire  to  their  rest ;  and  if  we  mourn  their  loss, 
we  should  also  rejoice  that  they  lived  not  to  sully 
their  reputation,  but  left  behind  them  such  an 
example  as  rouses  others  to  follow  in  their 
steps. 

The  success  of  Mr.  Darracott  furnishes  the 
more  useful  lesson,  in  consequence  of  his  being 
below  the  first  class  in  point  of  talent.  Men 
of  transcendent  abilities  excite  that  admiration, 
which  paralyses  rather  than  stimulates.  Our 
self-love  excuses  the  barrenness  of  our  lives,  by 
the  plea  of  incapacity.  Here  we  are  taught, 
however,  that  not  singular  abilities,  but  unusual 
ardour,  produced  the  extraordinary  lives  of  Luther, 
Whitefield,  and  Darracott,  while  hundreds  whose 


MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT.  167 

native  powers  were  superior,  have  lived  useless 
and  died  unmissed.  The  learned  trifling  of  many 
has  added  nothing  to  the  treasures  of  literature, 
but  the  plain  sense  and  flaming  piety  of  Darra- 
cott,  won  multitudes  to  the  society  of  the  just. 
Perhaps  the  greater  part  of  those  who  will  shine 
in  heaven  with  distinguished  lustre,  as  having 
turned  many  to  righteousness,  will  be  found  to 
be  men,  not  of  transcendent  powers,  but  of 
ordinary  capacities  improved  to  the  utmost  by 
holy  zeal. 

But,  perhaps,  this  train  of  thinking  is  neither 
safe  nor  correct.  If  the  divine  mind  has  branded 
sin  with  the  mark  of  folly,  and  declared  that  "  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  ;" 
that  "  a  good  understanding  have  all  they  that 
do  God's  commandments ;"  if  "  Jesus  Christ  was 
the  wisdom  of  God  incarnate  ;"  then  the  men 
who  aim  most  directly  at  the  same  object  for 
which  Christ  sacrificed  himself,  are  of  the  first 
order  of  minds  ;  and  it  is  a  depraved  habit  of 
thinking,  which  ascribes  superiority  to  those,  who 
may  complain  with  the  learned  Grotius,  vitam 
perdidi  operose  nihil  agendo,  "  I  have  thrown 
away  my  life,  while  labouring  to  do  nothing." 

If  those  who  are  entering  on  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  may  here  learn  that,  with  moderate 
abilities,  they  may  indulge  the  hope  of  distin- 
guished usefulness  ;  they  see  also,  that  to  conse- 
crate themselves  to  this  object,  is  to  secure  a  life 
of  happiness.  While  many  are  fretting  at  the 
weight  of  their   labours,   the  obscurity  of  their 


168  MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT. 

Station,  or  the  smallness  of  their  income  ;  this 
good  man  esteemed  it  his  felicity  to  have  no  time 
to  spare  ;  his  honour  to  hide  himself  where  he 
might  most  promote  the  divine  glory  ;  and  his 
wealth  to  put  others  in  possession  of  the  durable 
riches  of  righteousness. 

Far  from  repining  that  he  was  exiled  to  the 
narrow  sphere  of  a  little  country  town,  his 
enlarged  heart  told  him  that  his  station  demanded 
morfe  than  he  had  time  or  strength  to  accomplish. 
The  pecuniary  embarrassments  which  he  felt 
were  but  momentary,  for  his  wants  were  soon 
supplied  ;  and  while  they  lasted,  the  strength  of 
his  faith  and  the  ardour  of  his  zeal,  prevented 
them  from  doing  more  than  proving  to  his  own 
conscience  and  to  others,  that  he  could  willingly 
make  any  sacrifice  for  Christ  and  his  cause.  The 
care  of  his  family,  he  cheerfully  devolved  upon 
him  whom  he  had  served  in  the  gospel  ;  nor  was 
his  confidence  vain. 

He  was  too  busy  to  be  devoured  by  ennui,  a 
worm  which  can  feed  only  on  bodies  at  rest.  If 
the  labourer,  who  has  to  support  a  large  family, 
by  the  work  of  his  own  hands,  is  secured  from 
this  torment  of  the  rich,  it  is  a  shame  for  the 
ministers  of  Christ,  who  having  the  care  of 
immortal  souls,  should  be  labourers  indeed,  to  feel 
their  time  hang  heavy  on  their  hands.  Every 
faithful  pastor  finds  the  day  too  short ;  and  this  is 
the  grand  secret  of  human  happiness,  to  be  em- 
ployed to  the  utmost  in  engagements  pleasant  to 
our  taste. 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARHACOTT.  169 

Nor  was  Mr.  Darracott  ever  left  to  complain  of 
want  of  society,  or  to  seek  in  worldly  company, 
what  he  could  not  find  among  his  flock.  As  a 
good  shepherd,  he  loved  the  sheep  which  he  had 
undertaken  to  feed.  What  they  wanted  in  wealth 
or  mental  culture,  they  made  up  to  him  by  affec- 
tion end  veneration,  and  the  peculiar  interest 
which  is  felt,  when  the  language  of  the  Apostle 
can  be  adopted.  "  Ye  have  acknowledged  that  we 
are  your  rejoicing,  e\en  as  ye  also  are  ours  in  the 
day  of  the  Lcrd  Jeeus.  For  what  is  our  hope,  our 
joy,  or  crown  of  rejoicing  ?  Are  not  even  ye  in 
the  presence  of  cur  Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his 
coming  ?     Fcr  ye  are  cur  glory  and  joy." 

This  example  of  a  happy  life,  w^as  crowned  by 
the  delights  of  a  still  more  extraordinary  death. 
Fruitful  as  religion  has  been  in  victories  over  the 
last  enemy,  it  would  be  difficult  to  select  an 
instance  equal  in  exquisite  delights,  amidst  the 
most  excruciating  pains,  and  in  uninterrupted 
anticipations  of  eternal  triumph  through  a  pro- 
tracted stiuggle  wiih  the  king  of  terrors.  Many 
single  expressions  of  dying  saints  might  be 
menticned,  equal  to  any  that  dropped  from  the 
lips  of  Risdon  Darracott.  His  biographer  is  at 
this  moment,  indeed,  reminded  of  a  valued  friend, 
George  Moir,  of  Aberdeen,  in  whose  house  he 
once  lived,  and  whose  death  was,  like  his  life,  an 
eminent  display  of  the  power  of  evangelical  truth. 
After  having  been  worn  out  by  long  and  painful 
illness,  his  wife  told  him  that  the  change  of  his 
countenance  indicated  the  speedy  approach  of 
15 


170  MEMOIllS    OF   DARfiACOTT. 

death.  '*  Does  it,"  he  replied,  *'  bring  me  a 
glass."  On  looking  at  himself  in  the  glass,  he 
was  struck  with  the  appearance  of  a  corpse 
which  he  saw  in  his  countenance  ;  but  giving  the 
glass  back,  he  said,  with  calm  satisfaction,  '*  Ah, 
Death  has  set  his  mark  on  my  body,  but  Christ 
has  set  his  mark  upon  my  soul."  To  record  this 
instance  of  holy  triumph  over  death,  is  too  grate- 
ful to  the  writer's  feelings,  to  suggest  the  necessi- 
ty of  an  apology,  and  he  is  willing  to  hope  that 
it  may  prove  so  welcome  to  the  Christian  reader, 
as  to  induce  him  to  say  that  it  needs  none. 

Mr.  Darracott's  death  was  a  long  continued 
scene  of  delights,  which  produced  a  mighty  im- 
pression on  all  around.  The  wicked  who  heard, 
were  compelled  to  say,  "  Let  me  die  the  death 
of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his." 
But  the  righteous,  exulted  to  see  the  happy  con- 
sequences of  a  life  devoted,  as  Risdon  Darra- 
cott's had  been,  to  the  true  end  of  living,  the 
divine  glory  and  the  interests  of  eternity.  They 
saw  that  if  he  was  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  his  days, 
which  worldly  prudence  would  have  said  were 
shortened  by  his  excessive  labours,  it  was  by  such 
a  death  as  was  itself  the  prelibation  of  the  glory 
to  which  it  conducted  him,  and  was  sufFicient  to 
induce  us,  who  most  fondly  cling  to  life,  to  ex- 
claim, "  to  enjoy  such  an  end,  I  would,  this 
moment,  gladly  lie  down  and  die." 

While,  indeed,  many  shrink  from  the  incessant 
labours  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  deem  them 
aggravated  by  the  scorn  of  the  world,  the  censure 


MEMOIUS     OF    DARRACOTT.  171 

of  false  professors,  and  an  inadequate  income  •  all 
who  faithfully  consecrate  themselves  to  the  work 
from  pure  motive^?,  find  it  sweetened  with  plea- 
sures of  the  most  exquisite  relish,  and,  in  the  end, 
recompensed  with  honours  and  consolations  to 
which  tlie  glories  of  the  world  are  infamy,  and 
its  delights  bitterness. 

The  church  at  Wellington  severely  felt  the 
loss  of  its  faithful  pastor,  and  found  that  such 
men  are  the.  peculiar  gifts  of  the  chief  Shepherd, 
and  are  not  bestowed  every  day.  But  it  is  pleas- 
ant to  be  able  to  state,  that  after  many  vicissi- 
tudes, the  flock  once  so  highly  favoured,  is  again 
flourishing.  May  the  spirit  of  Elijah,  as  well  as 
his  mantle,  descend  on  Elisha  ;  that  the  church 
may  glorify  Him,  who  after  the  lapse  of  half  a 
century,  has  given  them  another  Darracott. 


EXTRACTS 


FROM 


MR.  DARRACOTT'S  CORRESPONDENCE. 


MR.  WALKER,  OF  TRURO,  TO  MR.  DARRACOTT. 

My  dear  and  highly  respected  friend, 
You  put  m3  under  so  much  obligation,  that  I 
will  not  think  of  repaying  it.  You  admit  me 
among  your  friends :  as  such  I  shall  use  you. 
God  be  praised,  I  have  not  a  heart  insensible  to 
religious  friendship.  Yet  how  short  am  I  of  that 
generous  love  wherewith  you  speak.  O  excuse 
my  coldness.  Dr.  Doddridge  was  not  my  tutor. 
Gracious  man  !  I  love  him  more,  since  I  have 
known  you.  O  the  living  epistle  !  it  is  that 
which  speaks. 

Thank  you,  dear  sir,  for  the  correspondence 
you  have  so  kindly  begun  :  may  the  divine  grace 
direct  it  to  mutual  usefulness  !  But  I  insist  upon 
one  preliminary  ;/  that  you  do  not  think  and 
speak  so  highly  of  m3.  In  truth,  I  cannot  bear 
it.  The  bent  of  my  heart,  for  many  years,  was 
after  praise  ;  nor  dare  I  trust  it  now,  with  ap- 
probations so  warm,  so  affectionate  as  yours. 
You   have   raised  my  earnest  expectations   by 


MICMOIKS    OF    DARKACOTT.  173 

the  promise  made  me,  of  the  success  of  your 
ministry.  Accounts  of  the  work  of  grace,  draw 
out  my  soul  in  praise  and  love  to  the  great  Re- 
deemer, quicken  my  diligence,  and  direct  me 
more  wisely  to  correspond  with  the  will  of  the 
Spirit,  in  my  ministrations. 

With  these  views,  1  sit  down  to  make  you  more 
particularly  acquainted  than  you  are  by  mine  to 
good  Dr.  Guise,  with  what  God  has  done  for  us 
here. 

It  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1748,  that 
a  young  man,  who  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  regi- 
ment raised  by  Lord  Falmouth,  and  during  that 
time,  had  given  himself  up  to  the  too  common 
vices  of  that  kind  of  people,  was  awakened  and 
brought  under  great  terrors,  in  the  hearing  of  one 
of  my  sermons.  This  was  my  first,  and  as  such 
my  dearest  child.  I  watched  and  rejoiced  over 
him.  Suffer  me  to  indulge  the  fondness  of  a 
father  over  my  dear  departed  boy.  With  thank- 
ful consolation,  I  reflect  how  God  wrought  in  him 
and  by  him.  His  conduct  drew  the  attention  of 
the  whole  town.  God  left  him  about  a  year  and 
a  half  with  me  :  during  which  time,  with  an 
unshaken  firmness  of  faith,  and  constancy  in  con- 
duct, amidst  perpetual  opposition,  and  the  strife 
of  tongues,  he  lived  (I  trust)  a  Christian.  About 
the  end  of  that  year,  some  other  young  men,  con- 
vinced by  his  example,  applied  to  me.  And 
before  his  death,  which  was  in  June,  1750,  their 
number  was  considerably  enlarged  ;  and  both 
women  and  men  (for  the  most  part  young  persons) 
15* 


174  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT* 

had  shewn  great  concern  about  salvation.  But  I 
think  the  principal  work  began  immediately  upon 
his  death,  which  begat  a  visibly  anxious  distress 
upon  the  whole  town.  I  judged  a  sermon  requi- 
site upon  such  an  occasion.  The  blessings  of  the 
Spirit  were  very  remarkably  with  the  providence 
and  the  word  ;  for,  quickly  after,  the  numbers 
which  applied  to  me  daily,  were  so  large,  that  I 
was  obliged  to  rent  (for  more  convenience)  two 
rooms  at  a  distance  from  my  lodging,  being  a 
boarder,  wherein  to  see  them.  For  this  year 
past,  having  a  house  of  my  own,  I  see  them 
at  home. 

I  know  nothing  particular  in  this  work,  except 
it  may  be,  that  the  far  greater  part  have  been 
brought  to  the  acknowledgment  of  the  truth,  in 
a  very  gentle  way.  Very  few  have  been  struck 
into  terrors  ;  though  some  have.  The  most  have 
been  impressed  with  a  sort  of  mournful  uneasi- 
ness ;  and  have  been  brought  to  Christ  in  a 
sorrowing  kind  of  way.  Yet  I  have  reason  to 
believe,  that  their  convictions  have  been  deep, 
since,  of  the  multitudes  which  have  drawn  back, 
I  cannot  find  above  one  or  two,  who  have  been 
able  to  shake  them  quite  off.  Possibly  it  may  be 
added  to  this,  that  they  are  importunately  carried 
out  after  inward  holiness,  striving  against  in- 
dwelling sin.  Known  only  to  God  are  all  his 
works ;  yet  in  general,  we  can  guess  at  the 
reason  of  such  singularities,  admiring  the  wisdom 
and  goodness  of  God.  May  not  the  gentleness  of 
this  procedure,  and  its  tendency,  be  in  a  corres- 


MEMOIRS  OF  DARRACOtr.  175 

pondence  of  the  Spirit  with  the  manner  of 
preaching  ?  Mine  hath  been  a  display  of  the 
law  and  the  gospel  ;  holding  forth  the  promises 
of  the  one,  and  the  threatenings  of  the  other : 
and  the  corruption  of  nature,  and  the  necessity 
of  a  new  heart,  as  the  great  fruit  and  evidence 
of  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  have  been  in  the  fullest 
manner  explained  and  insisted  on. 

Sometimes  the  pourings  out  of  the  Spirit  seem 
to  have  been  suspended,  and  we  have  lain  under 
a  lamentable  coldness  ;  till  the  falling  away  of 
some  hath  provoked  the  zeal  of  others,  and  we 
have  been  blessed  with  fresh  influences.  From 
too  probable  reasons,  I  am  inclined  to  charge 
these  declensions  upon  my  own  want  of  fortitude 
and  resoluteness  in  opposing  the  torrent  of  vice, 
and  the  influence  and  faces  of  some  great  ones 
who  live  among  us.  In  which  I  am  the  more 
confirmed  from  hence,  that  such  decays  we  have 
not  sufiered  in  any  considerable  degree,  since  we 
have  more  boldly  made  profession  of  ourselves  in 
the  lately  erected  society.      Yours  truly, 

S.  Walker. 
Truro,  March  5,  1755. 
My  very  dear  Sir, 

I  laboured  hard  to  get  an  hour  or  two  for  you, 
last  week,  but  it  would  not  be,  so  I  must  be 
content.  Yet  often  was  I  with  you  in  spirit,  for 
all  that,  praying  for  and  joying  over  you.  It  is 
not  just  when  I  would,  I  can  enjoy  the  pleasure,, 
which  writing  my  friend  gives  me.  Then  I  enjoy 
you  most,  when  I  hear  or  write.     Your  health  is 


176  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

a  great  concern  of  mine.  I  am  pleasing  myself 
with  the  hope,  that  your  tar-water,  and  the  nursing 
of  good  Mrs.  D.  will  establish  you.  Pray,  doth 
she  drive  you  to  bed  in  good  season  ?  I  have 
been  so  much  hurt  by  the  contrary  practice,  that 
I  fear  you  may  be  so  too.  It  is  hard  to  break 
the  neck  of  that  ill  custom.  Men  that  think 
much,  and  labour  hard,  must  have  sleep,  their 
faculties  will  not  do  without  it,  and,  on  the  whole, 
it  is  no  time  lost,  to  crazy  constitutions  especially. 
Good  Joseph  Allen,  and  our  dear  Dr.  D.  might 
sleep  but  five  hours.  I  thought  three  or  four  years 
ago,  I  could  do  with  six,  but  it  will  not  be. 

You  revived  and  supported  me,  with  the  letter 
Mr.  Cruttenden  gave  you  about  my  affairs.  He 
is  a  judicious  man,  indeed,  though  I  see  he  con- 
ceives by  far  too  high  notions  of  us,  for  which  I 
know  I  am  indebted  to  the  overflowing  heart  of 
Mr.  Darracott.  The  favours  he  designs  me,  I 
shall  thankfully  accept,  and  will  quickly  write 
him,  which  I  hope  he  will  allow  me  to  do.  You 
have  his  letter  returned,  with  a  thousand  thanks  ; 
after  I  had  taken  a  copy  of  all  which  relates  to 
us  ;  for  which,  I  presume  upon  your  pardon,  as 
also  that  I  have  kept  it  so  long. 

With  it  you  have  also  Mr.  Hayward's,  from 
whom  I  have  since  received  one  to  the  same 
effect,  and  answered  it,  and  that  in  the  affirma- 
tive too,  notwithstanding  you  set  me  so  bad  an  ex- 
ample, and  deterred  me  with  your  false  modesty. 
You  are  certainly  in  mistake  upon  that  point. 
Without  having  high   conceit  of  our  talents,  we 


MEMOIRS    OP    DARRACOTT. 


177 


may  use  those  we  have,  when  Christ  calls  for 
them.  I  am  very  sensible  that  many  every 
where,  are  of  ability,  and  capacity,  and  grace, 
fitter  for  this  business  than  myself;  but  still,  that 
does  not  satisfy  me,  when  I  am  called  on,  to  deny 
doing  what  I  can. 

Give  me  leave  to  transcribe  what  I  wrote  Mr. 
Hayward  on  this  head.  "  1  am  peculiarly  deligh- 
ted that  we  are  forgetting  our  prejudices,  on  the 
one  part  and  the  other ;  and  that  God  hath  put  it 
into  the  hearts  of  many,  of  various  denominations, 
to  join  their  hands  together  for  the  support  of  the 
only  cause,  which  should  be  maintained  with 
warmth,  and  can  never  be  yielded  without  the 
most  ruinous  consequences.  The  scheme  you 
have  in  hand,  hath  been  mentioned  in  my 
prayers,  Mr.  Darracott  having  communicated  it 
to  me.  I  have  great  confidence  in  the  success  of 
it,  both  from  the  evident  simplicity  of  the  design, 
and  upon  that  account,  from  the  hope  that  the 
members  will  be  kept  from  difference.  You 
would  have  me  one.  I  will  tell  you  plainly,  I 
dont  think  myself  qualified  for  it,  being  one  of 
lower  attainments  than  you  think  of,  and  yet, 
since  you  lay  it  upon  me,  and  the  design  is  so 
excellent,  I  dont  know  that  with  good  conscience 
I  can  decline.  Whatever  I  have  and  am,  all 
belong  to  Christ ;  and  if  he  shall  be  pleased  to 
make  use  of  my  little,  1  dare  not  refuse.  The 
safest  way,  therefore,  for  the  work  and  me  will  be 
this,  that  I  transmit  to  you  my  Essay  in  good 
season,  laying  it  on  you    to  determine,  if  it  be  fit 


178  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

to  be  made  use  of  or  not ;  and  insisting  that  you 
use  so  much  freedom  with  it,  as  not  to  publish  it, 
if  it  be  not  likely  to  do  service  :  which  I  should 
be  a  strange  creature  indeed,  if  I  should  take 
amiss  ;  and  I  beg  you  to  believe,  I  shall  not.  I 
would  not  that  the  success  of  your  undertaking 
should  be  stopt  by  compliments  of  any  kind." 

Indeed,  I  have  much  hope  the  thing  will  do 
good,  and  only  fear  lest  any  notions  may  thrust  in 
and  disturb  it.  To  prevent  which,  I  have  pro- 
posed to  Mr.  Heyward,  that  a  material  scheme 
be  first  drawn  up,  which  may  make  a  sort  of 
practical  body  in  the  whole  of  it,  and  determine 
the  points  upon  which  every  member  is  to  write. 
And  now.  Sir,  I  desire  to  know  what  you  have  to 
say  for  yourself ;  and  to  assign  me  one  little 
reason  why  you  should  decline  that,  which  you 
press  me  to. 

Your  little  tracts  are  well   collected,  and  will 

make    a  valuable  addition  to  what  I   commonly 

distribute.     The  Compassionate  Address,  S/-c.  is 

the  very  thing  I  have  needed  ;    familiar,  earnest, 

awakening  :  just  fit  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  a 

careless  world.     I  esteem  greatly  all  the  rest   in 

their  kind,  but  they  are  not  so  much  needed.     I 

have  seen  none  of  them  before,  except  Doddridge 

on  Family  Prayer.     Pray,  who  wrote  the  Life  of 

Faith?  I  never  saw  any  thing  equal  to  it.     The 

Guide  to   Heaven,    and    Example  of  Heavenly 

Contemplation,   are    of  your  preparing.       Both 

of  them,  I  think,  are  suited  to  do  much  good. 

I  am  peculiarly    obliged,   for  the   trouble  you 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  179 

have  given  yourself  about  my  sermons  ;  and  for 
your  speedy  transmitting  them  to  the  good 
Doctor,  I  fear  it  will  give  too  much  pain  to  him 
to  read  them,  which  yet,  as  I  have  not  heard  from 

him,  I    suspect  he  is  doing. —So  far   I  had 

written  six  days  ago  :  but  could  go  no  farther,  so 
continually  am  I  taken  up. 

Since  the  above,  I  have  a  letter  from  my  dear 
old  Doctor.  He  gives  me  a  character  of  my 
sermons,  which  makes  me  hope  they  will  be  of 
some  service,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  and  deter- 
mines me  to  print  them  without  delay.  You 
mentioned  a  Printer  to  me,  and  I  thanked  you 
for  your  recommendation  ;  but' I  believe  did  not 
mention  a  condition,  upon  which  only  I  could 
accept  it,  which  was,  in  case  Mr.  Cruden  was  so 
disordered,  as  not  to  be  able  to  engage  in  it ;  for 
to  him,  application  had  been  made  a  great  while 
before.  I  have,  last  week,  a  letter  from  him,  and 
Dr.  Guise  tells  me,  he  is  as  capable  as  ever. 
I  am  quite  ignorant  of  every  step  to  be  taken 
upon  this  occasion,  and  have  requested  my 
honoured  friend,  the  Doctor,  (to  whose  kindness 
I  am  above  measure  indebted)  to  give  me  direc- 
tions, and  to  take  order  about  it.  When  I  hear 
from  him  again,  I  shall  be  able  to  inform  you  in 
what  manner,  and  when  they  will  be  printed. 
Meantime,  my  dear  friend,  help  them  with  your 
prayers,  that  they  may  be  made  instrumental  to 
do  some  little  service  in  these  evil  days. 

I  have  a  strong  desire,  and  some  kind  of  hope, 
that  my  brethren  in  the  establishment,  may  have 


180  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

the  curiosity  to  see,  what  so  strange  a  man,  as  I 
am  commonly  accounted,  may  have  to  say.  O 
may  God  bring  the  doctrines,  which  I  trust  they 
contain,  home  to  their  hearts  !  I  would  that  all 
were  even  as  I  am  ;  but  these  peculiarly,  because 
they  have  opportunities  of  usefulness  beyond  any 
other.  '  As  I  am,'  did  I  say  ?  I  am  ashamed  of  the 
expression.  I  would  wish  them,  zealous,  self- 
denied  ministers  of  Christ,  a  character  which  ill 
suits  me.  Alas,  my  friend,  what  shall  I  do  with 
this  wretched  heart  ?  Surely  I  am  without  hope 
but  in  Christ,  being  in  myself  vile  beyond  imagi- 
nation ;  too,  too  apt  to  be  vain  of  what  is  but 
given  me,  and  whfch  I  ought  to  use  with  fear  and 
trembling  to  God's  honour  ;  apt  to  complain 
under  many  dispensations  ;  slothful,  and  ready  to 
fear  where  no  fear  is.  Yet  I  find,  his  grace  is 
sufficient  for  me,  and  daily  cause  he  gives  me  to 
wonder,  upon  the  review  of  what  he  is  doing  for 
my  soul.  My  dear  friend,  the  more  I  know  my 
heart,  the  less  I  like  it.  Fallen  man  is  a  monster 
indeed  ;  if,  at  least,  others  are  like  me.  Be  at  a 
little  pains  to  lay  bare  my  corrupted  heart.  Let 
me  have  a  share  of  your  experience  in  self-know- 
ledge. It  will  be  peculiarly  agreeable  and  profit- 
able ;  and  I  assure  you,  very  needful  at  this  time, 
when  such  men  as  Dr.  Guise  approve  my  labours. 
You  expect  always  to  know  how  we  stand 
Here,  much  as  usual.  But  elsewhere,  we  seem  to 
get  ground.  My  dear  Mitchel  writes  me,  that  his 
company  is  advanced  to  thirty.  You  would  love 
that  dear  man,  could  you  see  him.      Penrose  too, 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  181 

hath  a  larger  number  about  him,  and  I  am  full  of 
hope  frcm  that  side.  But,  my  friend,  don't  say 
much  of  this  at  present.  Only  pray  for  us,  and 
for  the  Divine  Blessing  on  our  meeting,  the  18th 
instant,  which  will  be  our  first  club. 

I  had  thought  of  writing  you  a  more  particular 
letter;  but  must  defer  that,  till  I  have  more 
leisure  to  do  it.  Meantime,  let  us  not  be  forget- 
ful of  each  other,  nor  of  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
praying  always  for  the  building  up  of  Jerusalem. 
Believe  me,  yours  in  all  sincerity, 

S.  Walker. 

P.  S.  Favour  me  with  an  account  what  the 
Preaching  Bible  is,  Mr.  Cruttenden  mentions  : 
and  what  it  may  cost. 

Truro,  January  24,  1757. 
Very  dear  Sir, 

Be  assured  I  am  not  pleased,  when  I  am  de- 
laying to  write  m^  dear  friend  ;  especially,  when 
the  Father  of  mercies  and  consolations  has  put  it 
in  my  power  to  revive  your  spirit  with  glad 
tidings,  and  to  stir  Up  your  supplications  on  our 
behalf.  I  doubt  not  you  will  have  received  from 
London,  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  Mr.  Sheafe,  and 
through  him  to  the  Society,  thanking  them  for  a 
generous  supply  of  books,  and  in  which,  I  had 
opportunity  of  acquainting  them  with  their  provi- 
dential arrival,  and  the  desirable  use  made  of  them. 

Soon  after  that  date,  the  route  came,  and  they 

left  us    the  19th  instant,  after  nine  wrecks  stay. 

You  would  have  been  moved  at  our  parting.     I 

called    them  together  the  evening  before,  with  a 

16 


182  MEMOIRS     OF    DA.RRACOTT. 

good  number  of  our  people,  in  the  society-room. 
We  recommended  them  to  God,  and  the  power  of 
his  grace,  and  made  a  parting  exhortation  for  this 
world.  Had  you  seen  their  countenances,  what 
thankfulness,  love,  sorrow,  and  joy,  sat  upon 
them  !  They  hoped  they  might  bring  forth  some 
fruit ;  they  hoped  to  meet  us  again  at  the  right 
hand  of  Jesus  in  his  illustrious  day !  Amen, 
Amen.  Some  of  them  could  not  speak,  their 
hearts  were  full,  and  we  parted  without  a  w^ord. 
I  have  never  seen  such  a  distressing,  comfortable 
scene.  They  went  off,  next  morning,  praising 
God  for  us  ;  and,  when  just  losing  sight  of  the 
town,  they  looked  back,  and  said  again  and  again, 
"  God  bless  Truro."  "  Desire  Mr.  Walker  to 
raise  some  recruits  for  us  among  the  soldiers," 
was  the  last  message  by  some  of  our  young  men, 
who  brought  them  some  miles  on  their  way. 

Well,  sir,  the  same  evening,  a  party  came  from 
Falmouth,  to  stay  the  night.  Six  of  these  volun- 
tarily came  to  me  ;  were  much  impressed  ;  and  I 
gave  them  a  letter  to  the  others.  But  I  was  not 
satisfied  I  had  not  endeavoured  to  see  more  of 
them  that  evening,  the  thought  of  which  had 
escaped  me.  I  was  determined  to  attempt  it, 
next  night,  when  another  party  from  Hilstone, 
about  twenty  miles  off,  were  to  quarter  with  us. 
I  sent  out  the  press-gang,  as  they  call  our  people 
of  the  society  ;  because  when  I  have  any  particular 
exercises,  either  at  the  society-room,  or  my  own 
house,  they  go  out,  and  bring  in  all  they  meet. 
Our  new  guests  were   glad  of  the  news,   and  in 


t'' 


MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT.  183 

half  an  hour,  my  boys  had  collected  not  less  than 
threescore  of  them.  I  was  to  speak  but  once  to 
them,  and  see  them  no  more.  The  most  had 
never  heard  of  Christ.  It  is  no  wonder,  if  even 
my  cold  heart  was  a  little  stirred  on  such  an  occa- 
sion. Indeed,  it  was  very  striking.  I  could  have 
spoke  and  prayed  all  night.  There  were  many 
tears  among  them.  I  never  saw  any  thing 
more  promising.  They  went  away  to  the  others, 
with  a  pamphlet  or  two  each.  So  they  are  all  at 
Dock  together,  where  I  am  sure  you  will  pray 
for  them.  Some  are  still  with  us,  the  present 
objects  of  my  care  and  prayers.  They  are  but 
few  ;  and  so,  much  on  duty.  However,  I  saw 
more  than  a  dozen  of  them  last  night  about  me'; 
who  seemed  to  receive  the  word,  with  a  sort  of 
readiness  ;  and  have  promised  to  be  with  me 
often, — I  have  inclosed  a  letter  from  one  of  them, 
written  since  they  went  to  Dock,  which  I  believe 
will  rejoice  you  ;  and  which  I  beg  you  to  return. 
The  writer,  I  think,  when  he  came  hither,  knew 
little  more  of  Christ,  than  if  he  had  lived  in  China. 
Indeed,  he  is  a  man  of  excellent  natural  parts, 
and  the  deep  distress  of  soul  he  has  been  under, 
particularly  the  first  month,  led  him  to  the  most 
attentive  application.  Lochyan  told  me,  he  would 
soon  write  his  father.  Your  letter  to  him  was 
very  seasonable.  I  read  it  to  all  the  soldiers. 
That  young  man  was  in  a  promising  way  when 
he  left  us.  1  have  great  confidence  in  him  and 
joy  over  him. 

I  could  say  a  great  deal   more  :  but  am  just 


'^ 


184  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

going  to  meet  some  of  our  society,  in  a  private 
exercise.  The  Lord  be  with  you  in  your  soul 
and  ministry.  Forget  not  at  the  throne  of  grace, 
Your  very  affectionate  brother  in  the  best  bonds, 

S.  Walker. 

rROM      THE     REV.     MR.     JONES,      OF     ST.      SAVIOUr's, 
SOUTHWARK,     TO     MR.     DARRACOTT. 

Castle-street,  in  the  Park,  Southwark^ 
March  21,  1758. 
Reverend  and  honoured  Sir, 
I  am  ashamed  to  own  I  received  your  letter, 
because  the  very  acknowledgment  will  accuse 
me  of  ill  manners  and  ingratitude  :  to  plead  my 
multiplicity  of  business,  and  very  frequent  ill- 
ness, would  be  but  a  poor  excuse,  and  betray  a 
very  bad  cause.  Shall  I  then,  relying  on  dear 
Mr.  Darracott's  indulgence,  honestly  own  the 
truth  ?  Two  things  have  conspired  to  make  me 
act  thus  rudely  by  my  honoured  correspondent. 
They  are  indolence  and  pride.  The  former  of 
these  makes  me  very  averse  to  writing  to  any 
one,  and  the  latter  has  hitherto  prevented  my 
answering  yours.  Indeed,  dear  sir,  your  letter 
quite  disconcerted  me  ;  and  finding  how  high 
(much  too  high)  an  opinion  Mr.  Darracott  had 
entertained  of  me,  I  was  really  afraid  to  unde- 
ceive him,  and  was  very  unwilling  to  convince 
him,  by  my  letters,  how  much  he  was  mistaken. 
A  consciousness  of  my  insufficiency  made  me 
wish  to  preserve  Mr.  Darracott's  esteem,  and 
at  the  same  time  not  expose   myself  to  so  dis- 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  186 

eerning  a  mind  as  his  ;  but  I  have  since  found 
that  my  heart  (as  usual)  has  greatly  deceived 
me  ;  what  I  vainly  thought  was  the  effect  of 
modesty,  I  now  perceive  to  be  rank,  sinful  pride. 
A  desire  to  keep  self  unexposed  has  made  me 
behave  thus  unhandsomely  to  an  honoured  fa- 
ther in  Christ ;  and  when  I  consider  how  many 
useful  and  instructive  letters  of  dear  Mr.  Darra- 
€ott's  I  may  have  lost,  I  cannot  but  repent  of 
my  past  misconduct.  Having  now  confessed  my 
crime,  I  already  anticipate  my  honoured  friend's 
forgiveness,  and  think  myself  assured  of  a  recon- 
ciliation ;  in  this  confidence  I  will  proceed, 
without  farther  apology  for  inability. 

I  think  myself  happy,  dear  sir,  in  the  notice 
you  take  of  me  in  your  letter,  and  can  only  say, 
that  if  you  would  have  me  go  forward,  and  wish 
to  see  me  become  an  useful  minister  of  the  church 
of  Christ,  yourself,  dear  sir,  (under  God)  must 
contribute  to  it,  by  favouring  me  with  your 
advice,  from  time  to  time,  by  giving  me  such 
instruction  as  you  must  be  sensible  I  want, — such 
as  I  humbly  hope,  I  shall  receive  with  thank- 
fulness, and  follow  with  pleasure.  You  see,  sir, 
how  I  am  drawing  you  into  a  frequent  cor- 
respondence ;  let  me  hope  to  see  it  begun  by  a 
speedy  answer  to  this,  which,  God  willing,  shall 
meet  with  as  speedy  and  punctual  a  reply.  O, 
how  do  I  honour  (I  had  almost  said  envy)  Mr. 
Darracott  his  warmth  of  heart  and  glow  of  zeaJ, 
who  can  thus  rejoice  at  the  enlargement  of  the 
Mediator's  kingdom,  and  with  pleasure  own  his 
16* 


186  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

Master's  image,  though  he  finds  it  stamped  on 
the  coarsest  subject  !  I  can  say  that  I  have 
much  to  be  thankful  for  to  rich,  sovereign 
grace  ;  but,  alas  !  so  cold,  so  frozen,  so  lifeless, 
is  my  heart,  that  the  vital  heavenly  flame  wiiich 
our  dear  Immanuel  has  kindled  there,  is  too,  too 
often,  ahnost  extinguished.  I  want  more  zeal 
for  God's  glory  ;  more  love  for  precious  souls. 
Another  complaint  I  have  to  make  is,  that  thii 
cursed  self  will  put  in  its  claim  for  the  honour  of 
what  the  Mediator  works  in  and  by  me. 

These,  dear  sir,  I  can  truly  say,  are  weights  and 

clogs  upon  my  mind.    Think  for  me,  pray  for  me, 

and  give  me  some  directions  how  to  keep  this  fire 

alive,  how  to  revive  a  dying  zeal,  how  to  lie  low 

in  my  own  esteem  ;  in  short,  how  to  fly  from  self. 

I  need  not  tell  you  what  a  real  benefit  you  will  be 

the   instrument  of   conveying  to  me.      Thus,  sir, 

you  see  I  have  cut  out   work  for  your  next  letter 

— let  me  expect  it  soon  !    You  desire  in  yours  to 

have  the  particulars  of  my  success  in  the  ministry. 

This,    God   willing,    shall  be  the  subject   of  my 

next.      Accept,  dear  sir,  of   my  sincerest   thanks 

for  the  favour  of  your  books.      May  our   dear 

Master  accompany  them  with  his  blessing.     Mr. 

Mason,  a  tradesman,  is  the  author  of  the  "  Plain 

Sermon  for  Little   Children  ;"    have   you  any  of 

them  ?    if  not,   please  to   let   me   know.     I  am, 

dear  sir,  your  affectionate  brother  and  servant  in 

Christ, 

T.  Jones. 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  187 

The  following  is  thought  to  be  from  the  cler- 
gyman,   who  was  won    to  the  Redeemer  by   Mr. 
Williams's    conversation,    as    mentioned    in   his 
Diary.     A  new  and  enlarged  edition  of  which  is 
just  published,  by  his  descendant,  Mr.  Hanbury. 
Very  dear  Sir, 
I  received    your   kind  letter,    and  am   greatly 
obliged  to  you  for  those  overtures  of  your  friend- 
ship and  correspondence  ;   I  embrace  it  with  the 
utmost  pleasure.   Your  letter,  indeed,  brought  me 
melancholy  tidings;   the  death  of  dear  Williams 
affected  me  very   nearly,  and  many  tears  of  deep 
concern  have  I  shed  on  that  account,  for  he  was 
my  dearest  friend,  nay,  father  :  he  was  related  to 
me  in  the  nearest  manner,  and,  I  trust,  our  hearts 
were    united  in  the   indissoluble  bonds  of  Chris- 
tian love.    He  is  no  more  to  instruct  me  in  person  ; 
yet,    though   dead,   he    speaketh,   and  his   words 
come  to  me  attended  with  a  peculiar  power  ;  for 
since  the  receipt  of  yours,  I  have  read  over  some 
of  his  valuable  letters  to  me,  and  every  thing  he 
says  comes  home  to   my   heart ;  the  awfulness  of 
that   reflection  of  his  being  now  with  God  adds 
weight  to  his  words.      Oh  !   what   reason    have  I 
to  be  thankful  to  the    Almighty  for  my  acquaint- 
ance with   that  dear   man  !    Oh  !   that  I  may  re- 
tain a  grateful  sense  of  it,  and  feci  my  heart  glow 
with  love    to  God  for   his  immense   favours  to  so 
worthless  and  insensible  a  creature  !   O  Lord,  who 
can  fathom  the   depth  of  thy  mercy  to  a  wretch 
who  has  merited   thine    everlasting   indignation  ; 
and,  had  not  thy   grace   been   abundant,  whose 


1  88  MEMOIRS    OF  DARRACOTT. 

crimes  would  have  called  down,  before  now,  thine 
avenging  hand  to  have  destroyed  such  a  daring 
worm  from  off'  the  face  of  the  earth  !  But  thou, 
O  merciful  Lord,  hast  delivered,  and  I  trust  will 
yet  deliver  me. 

But  I  beg,  dear  sir,  as  I  have  lost  the  prayers 
of  one  wrestling  Jacob,  you  would  be  so  good  as 
to  supply  his  place,  and  remember  me  when  you 
approach  the  throne  of  grace,  particularly  that  I 

♦  may  walk  in  the  light  of  God's  countenance,  and 

that  my  corruptions,  which  darken  my  sight,  may 
be  destroyed.  I  have,  indeed,  a  wicked  heart, 
may  God  cleanse  it,  and  break  down  every  idol 
that  pretends  to  rival  his  reign  there  :  it  is  my 
constant  prayer  that  the  Redeemer's  kingdom 
may  be  established  in  my  soul.  If  I  know  my- 
self; I  think  that  I  desire,  above  all  things,  to 
live  to  God  only,  and  to  be  dead  to  self,  to  the 
world,  to  its  censures,  to  its  applauses  ;  but,  oh, 
'tis  hard  !  yet  we  have  this  comfort,  that  we  can 
do  all  things  through  Christ  strengthening  us. 

You  speak  of  a  parcel,  sir^  that  Mr.  Rawlings 
has  sent  you  for  me,  it  will  indeed  come  to  me 
very  acceptable  ;  and,  dear  sir,  whatever  you  will 
be  pleased  to  send,  will  be  most  gratefully  re- 
ceived. You  know  the  extensive  benefit  your 
kind  services  that  way  may  be  of,  in  assisting 
a  mere  novice  with  supplies  to  feed  many  hun- 
gering and  thirsting  souls ;  for  I  can  say  of  my 
congregations,  they  hear  with  the  utmost  atten- 
.  tion,   and  seem  to  be   conscious   it  is   for   their 

wt  souls  ;  and,  thank  God,  they  have  no  prejudice, 


MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT*  18^ 

but  on  the  contrary,  a  tender  love  for  me,  and 
honour  me  for  my  work's  sake.  I  hope  I  shall 
be  kept  faithful,  and  deliver  them  the  v^^hole 
counsel  of  God  ;  and  whatever  helps  my  dear 
friends  will  contribute  to  the  execution  of  my 
desire,  I  shall  most  thankfully  acknowledge.  We 
are  to  meet  at  Bath  to-morrow  ;  I  believe  that 
there  will  be  seven  or  eight  of  us.  I  hope  that 
God  will  abundantly  prosper  it.  At  the  last 
meeting,  business  prevented  me  from  attending. 
Of  our  method  of  proceeding,  I  will  take  an 
opportunity  to  give  an  account. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  breakfasting  with  Lady 
Huntingdon  last  Wednesday,  and  took  the  liberty 
of  shewing  her  your  account  of  Mr.  Williams* 
death. 

With  thanks  for  your  prayers,  and  kind  wishes 
on  my  behalf,  I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself, 
dear  and  reverend  sir,  your  affectionate  friend, 
and  unworthy  brother,  J.   Brown. 

Chewton,  Jan.  11,  1757. 

DR.    GIBBONS   TO   MR.   DARRACOTT. 

Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 
Though  I  have  delayed  answering  your  letter, 
yet  the  delay  has  not  arisen  from  any  thing  like 
an  intention  first  to  interrupt,  and  then  to  con- 
clude our  correspondence.  Your  correspondence 
is  such  as  breathes  of  heaven  ;  and  how  much  do 
I  want  of  heavenly  breath,  that  my  poor  dying 
spark  may  be  quickened  and  inflamed  !  Believe 
me,  sir,  that  I  am  a  strange  composition  ;  some- 
thing, I  trust,  like  the  divine  life  I  do  feel,  but 


190  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

how  is  it  damped,  clouded,  and  depressed,  by 
creature-attachments,  and  violent  tendencies  to 
mortal,  if  not  to  sinful  objects  !  Of  late,  I  have 
been  greatly  afflicted.  My  pulpit,  where  I  trust  I 
have  found  some  divine  enlargement  and  pleasure, 
has  been  a  place  of  terror  and  distress  to  me. 
Foreign,  impertinent,  and  even  worse  thoughts 
than  these,  have  broke  in  upon  my  mind  while  I 
have  been  praying,  and  preaching,  and  have 
seemed  as  if  they  would  be  uttered,  and  thus  has 
my  mind  been  thrown  into  confusion  and  horror, 
when  it  should  have  been  all  divine  attention  and 
devotion.  Through  mercy,  last  Lord's-day,  I  was 
something  better,  but  I  need  help  ;  help  me  then, 
my  friend,  with  your  prayers.  I  believe  a  nervous 
complaint  in  my  head  may  contribute  its  part 
towards  this  affliction  ;  but  I  have  been  ready  to 
think  that  the  enemy  of  souls,  and  of  all  righteous- 
ness, has  a  concern  in  this  disorder,  and  that  he 
may  possibly  make  weak  nerves  the  place  where 
he  erects  his  gloomy  banners,  and  whence  he 
shoots  off  his  fiery  darts.  I  design  to  go  into  the 
country  in  a  little  time,  and  to  make  use  of  the 
cold  bath.  Oh  !  that  I  may  be  able  to  derive  a 
spiritual  benefit  from  this  affliction. 
Yours  truly, 

T.  Gibbons. 

MR.   BENJAMIN  FORFITT  TO  MR.   DARRACOTT. 

Dear  and  reverend  sir, 
I  received  your  kind  letter,  and  rejoice  in  that 
superiority  of  mind  which  you  express  above  the 
transitory  events  of  a  fading  world,  and  the  feli- 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  191 

city  you  enjoy  in  the  sense  of  the  divine  love 
and  goodness.  I  cannot  but  think  that  spirits 
born  of  God,  and  preparing  for  his  glory,  may 
well  be  contented  v^^ith  any  state  of  being  here, 
which  the  wisdom  and  love  of  their  heavenly 
Father  sees  fit  for  them  ;  especially  if  he  so  far 
honours  them  as  to  make  them  the  instruments 
of  his  praise.  I  confess  when  I  see  Christians, 
who  profess  their  hopes  of  a  heavenly  happiness, 
repining  and  complaining  under  the  tolerable  in- 
conveniences of  life,  or  pursuing  the  wealth  or 
pleasures  of  the  world  with  eager  and  unsatisfied 
desires,  it  gives  me  a  narrow  idea  of  their  know- 
ledge either  of  God  or  themselves  :  a  little  por- 
tion of  the  world  will  satisfy  the  real  wants  of 
nature  ;  and  I  am  sure  nothing  but  the  infinite, 
eternal  good,  can  be  a  suitable  happiness  to  the 
immortal  spirit  of  man.  Through  the  divine 
grace,  I  trust  the  language  of  my  heart  is, 

I  envy  not  the  rich  man's  wealth, 

Or  pine  to  see  his  store  ; 
With  what  I  have,  I'm  pleased  much, 

With  what  I  hope  for,  more.  » 

• 

I  am  not  for  a  voluntary  poverty,  because  the 
bounties  of  Providence  may  be  so  beneficially 
applied  to  the  relief  of  others  ;  but  I  have  often 
thought  a  low  estate  honourable,  as  it  is' the 
nearest  conformity  to  the  condition  of  our  blessed 
Lord  and  Master  here  upon  earth  ;  and  who 
would  not  rejoice  in  any  degree  of  similitude  to 
a  pattern  so  divine,  and  a  person  so  dear  !  But 


192  MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT. 

I  must  forbear,  lest  I  should  contradict  by  mj 
practice,  what  I  profess  by  my  pen.  If  my  long 
silence  needs  an  apology,  my  good  friend  will 
please  to  accept  this,  that  he  would  have  been 
troubled  with  an  epistle  ?ooner,  had  1  any  oppor- 
tunity of  tendering  him  any  service  therein,  and 
any  religious  reflections  which  my  correspond- 
ence could  produce,  are  doubtless  rendered 
needless  by  the  superior  possessions  of  his  own 
mind. 

As  to  the  books  for  the  poor  you  mentioned,  I 
find  myself  prevented  at  present  in  that  piece  of 
service,  by  our  friend  Mr.  Cruttenden.  Permit 
me,  sir,  to  subscribe  myself,  with  cordial  and 
Christian  affection. 

Your  friend  and  servant, 

Benjamin  Forfitt. 

MR.     HERVEY    TO    MR.    DARRACOTT. 

Dear  Mr.  Darracott, 
I  have  received  your  charitable  present,  and 
have  blessed  God  for  giving  you  a  willing  mind, 
nci  only  to  promise,  but  to  perform.  I  thank 
you  very  sincerely,  for  your  animating  and  in- 
structive letter.  So  far  am  I  from  being  offended 
at  your  affectionate  plainness,  that  I  wish  for  and 
beg  a  continuation  of  it.  Yes,  indeed,  I  wish 
that  you  would  continue  the  correspondence,  and 
communicate  to  me,  whatever  you  think  may 
awaken  my  too  sleepy  soul,  and  direct  my  raw 
and  inexperienced  youth.  You  have  many  valuable 
opportunities  of  getting,  what  I  find  to  be  very 


WEWOIKS     OF    DARRACO'lT.  193 

necessary  for  a  promoter  of  piety,  the  wisdom  of 
the  serpent.  The  worthy  Doctor,  who  is  so  well 
acquainted  with  books  and  men,  can  tell  you  what 
are  the  most  likely  baits  to  catch  souls.  What 
pious  and  successful  fraud  the  Apostle  meant, 
when  he  said,  "  I  caught  you  with  guile." 

The  preceding  was  written  a  considerable  time 
ago.  But  I  was  prevented  once,  and  again,  from 
finishing  and  sending  it.  Can  you  pardon,  dear 
sir,  my  seemingly  disrespectful  delay  ?  I  know 
that  you  both  can,  and  will  pardon  it.  Never- 
theless, I  shall  be  heartily  glad  to  have  my  pardon 
signed  and  sealed  by  your  own  hand.  I  hope  God, 
the  merciful  and  gracious  God,  who  put  it  into 
your  mind  to  give  me  advice,  will  enable  me  to 
take  it. 

Now,  that  you  admonish  me  of  what  is  right, 
I  remember  that  I  have  done  wrong.  The  books 
which  I  had  lately  to  dispose  of,  were  not  distri- 
buted, till  the  day  before  my  departure.  So  that 
my  poor  friends  could  have  no  time  to  read, 
neither  could  I  have  any,  to  remind  them  of  the 
solemn  and  strict  account  they  must,  one  day, 
make  of  their  use  of  this  talent.  This  I  own  (oh  ! 
may  the  consideration  humble  me  !)  was  not  the 
part  of  a  good  and  faithful  steward  ;  who  ought  to 
make  the  best  of  all  that  belongs  to  his  Lord, 
and  (after  his  own  excellent  example)  "  see  that 
nothing  be  lost."  I  hope  I  shall  look  upon 
the  practice  of  the  careful  husbandman,  as  my 
direction  in  this  particular.  Of  whom  it  is  said, 
after  he  had  cast  seed  into  the  ground,  "  that  he 
17 


194  MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT. 

rose,  night  and  day."  I  suppose,  to  look  to  his 
crop,  and  to  mark  how  it  came  up.  That  he 
might  have  joy  of  it,  if  kindly  and  plenteous;  or 
take  some  proper  methods  with  it,  if  thin  and 
choked  up  with  weeds. 

I  wish  you  would  suggest  to  me,  what  I  must  do, 
to  further  the  gospel  of  God  my  Saviour.  I  employ 
every  day  an  hour  or  more  (which  I  think  is  as  much 
time  as  I  can  spare  from  my  studies)with  some  well- 
inclined  people  of  the  poorer  sort.  We  read  Mr. 
Henry  on  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  pray  together. 
There  is  one  set  in  one  part  of  the  city,  and 
another  in  another.  I  meet  at  a  neighbour's 
house.  Oh  !  that  I  could  also  open  my  mouth 
as  he  did  ;  so  boldly,  so  powerfully  !  Who  will 
give  me  a  little  portion  of  that  knowledge,  which 
he  had  in  the  mysteries  of  the  gospel  ?  that  I  may 
declare  them  to  the  people,  clearly  and  con- 
vincingly. Above  all,  who  will  give  me  seme  of 
that  humble  zeal,  that  sacred  and  illustrious  fer- 
vour, which  animated  him  who  laboured  more 
abundantly  than  all  the  apostles  ? 

I  am  preparing  to  enter  into  holy  orders,  and  to 
take  upon  me  the  work  of  the  ministry.  That 
great,  wonderful,  and  important  work  !  So  that 
now  I  have  the  utmost  reason  to  cry  out,  as  the 
distressed  fishermen  did  to  their  partners,  "  come 
and  help  me."  Help  me  with  your  prayers  to 
the  Lord  God  my  Saviour,  that  I  "  may  receive 
the  Holy  Ghost,  not  many  days  hence,"  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands  ;  even  "  the  spirit  of  wisdom 
and   understanding,    the   spirit   of  counsel   and 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  195 

might,  the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  of  the  fear  of 
the  Lord."  That  he  may  be  in  me,  rest  upon 
me,  and  abide  with  me  for  ever.  Making  me  fit, 
every  way  qualified,  and  thoroughly  furnished 
for  this  sacred  function.  That  I  may  fully  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  my  great  vocation,  to  the 
glory  and  immortal  honour  of  God,  and  to  the 
endless  felicity  of  many  of  the  sons  of  men. 

Dear  sir,  pray  give  my  humble  service,  and 
best  thanks  to  the  Doctor.  And  beg  of  him,  when 
he  is  in  the  acceptable  time,  to  remember  me, 
who  am  in  the  time  of  need.  If  he  has  any  word 
of  exhortation  ;  but,  especially  if  he  has  any 
treasures  of  instruction,  proper  for  a  candidate  of 
the  ministerial  office,  how  glad  should  I  be,  if  he 
would  please  to  impart  them  !  and  how  gratefully 
should  such  a  favour  be  ahvixye  acknowledged,  by 
his,  and  your  affectionate  servant  and  brother  in 
Jesus  Christ, 

J.  Hervey. 

Lincoln  College,  Oxon.  Sept.  1,  1736. 

MR.    DARRACOTT    TO   MRS.    TRISTRAM. 

Wellington,  Jan.  24. 
Dearest  Madam, 
God  is  adding  fresh  seals  to  my  ministry  con- 
tinually, which  are  my  exceeding  great  joy, 
amidst  all  the  discouragement,  and  all  the  opposi- 
tion I  meet  with.  Thus,  indeed,  the  Lord  is 
gracious  to  me,  and  I  look  upon  it,  intended  as  a 
support  to  me,  under  what  I  am  suffering  for  his 
sake  ;  which  is  a  little,  having  every  evil  thing 


196 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 


falsely  said  of  me,  and  seeing  many,  that  were 
once  my  friends,  become  shy  of  me,  for  no  other 
reason,  but  because  I  profess  a  little  more,  though 
not  a  thousandth  part  enough,  zeal  for  Christ.  So 
I  find  it  daily  in  these  parts,  and  so  I  found  it, 
when  I  was  last  at  Barnstaple,  where  several, 
that  once  seemed  warm  friends,  appeared  cool 
towards  me.  But  be  it  so.  Hard  as  it  is  to 
flesh  and  blood,  I  hope  I  have  so  learned  the 
worth  of  Christ,  as  to  be  able  to  give  up  the 
dearest  friends  and  relations  for  him,  and  to 
count  myself  happy  too,  if  I  had  not  a  friend  upon 
earth,  if  Christ  were  my  friend. 

But  he  is  not  so  far  trying  me  yet,  I  have  many 
friends,  and  such  as  are  his  ;  among  whom  I  think 
myself  particularly  honoured,  and  would  be  very 
thankful,  in  having  such  valuable  ones  as  Madam 
Tristram,  Mr.  Welman  and  his  lady.  Nor  do  I 
doubt  I  shall  ever  lose  such  friendship  for  my 
warmest  regards  for  Christ,  when  I  have  reason 
to  believe,  he  is  so  precious  to  their  souls.  As 
for  you,  dear  madam,  you  have  long  shewn,  and 
oh,  may  you  yet  much  longer,  a  becoming  zeal 
for  Christ ;  and  may  your  spirit  breathe  in  your 
latest  posterity.  May  none  of  the  dear  family  of 
Poundisford  be  ever  ashamed  of  Christ,  or  ever 
backward  to  bear  their  testimony  to  his  glorious, 
though  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  despised  interest. 
But  may  the  line  of  Welman,  as  well  as  that  of 
Hanmer  and  Tristram,  make  a  bright  figure  at 
the  right  hand  of  Christ,  in  the  great  day,  for  their 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  197 

warm    and    zealous   attachment    to  him,  and  his 
interest,  here  below. 

But  it  is  time  for  me  to  conclude  :  which  I 
cannot,  without  saying  one  word  of  my  dear  wife, 
who  is  much  out  of  order,  and  very  low  spirited, 
and  concludes  within  herself  she  shall  not  sur- 
vive this  time.  You  may  easily  think  how  this 
impresses  us  both.  Pray  for  her,  dear  madam, 
especially  that  her  faith  may  not  fail,  and  that 
God  may  be  better  than  her  fears.  I  wish  for  her 
sake,  as  well  as  my  own,  you  and  the  dear 
family  were  returned.  Such  company  has  the 
greatest  tendency  to  revive  the  spirits-  We 
both  join  in  the  most  respectful  and  most 
cordial  services  to  you  and  dear  Mr.  Welman 
and  his  lady,  with  remembrances  to  the  dear 
little  ones,  whom  may  God  long  preserve.  You 
have  all  my  warmest  prayers^  and  oh,  remember 
in  yours,  dear  madam,  your  most  unworthy, 
most  affectionate,  and  most  obliged,  humble 
servant, 

Risdon  Darracott. 

p.  s.  Mr.  Fawcett  is  now  here,  in  order  to 
preach  for  me  to-morrow.  He  presents  his 
tender  of  services  to  the  good  family.  There  are 
some  great  revolutions  in  Taunton  with  respect 
to  him,  which  he  intends  to  give  you  a  letter 
of  next  week ;  he  has  had  an  invitation  to  Kid- 
derminster. 

17* 


198  MEMOIRS  OF  DARRACOTT. 

MRS.     ANN     DUTTON    TO    MR.  DARRACOTT. 

Great  Gransden,  near  Caxton, 
Huntingdonshire^   September  6,  1744, 
Reverend  and  dear  sir, 

The  most  acceptable  favour  of  your  last 
kind  letter,  I  received  with  joy,  and  return 
humble  thanks.  The  account  you  gave  me  of  the 
Lord's  loving  kindness  towards  you,  rejoices  my 
heart,  excites  my  praises,  and  animates  my 
prayers.  Such  grace  as  you  are  favoured  with 
the  displays  of,  is  every  way  worthy  of  an  infinite 
God  !  You  justly  wonder  at  its  distinguishing 
nature  ;  that  while  others  of  the  Lord's  servants 
mournfully  say,  "  who  hath  believed  our  report  ?" 
you  have  the  joy  to  see  sinners  the  chief,  con- 
verted by  your  ministry  !  Indeed,  sir,  this  is  a 
wide  stretch  of  the  exceeding  riches  of  boundless 
grace  !  Of  that  grace,  which  hath  saved  your 
soul,  which  hath  chosen  you  to  ministerial  service, 
and  which  delights  to  honour  you  with  eminent 
usefulness  ;  to  your  exceeding  joy,  and  to  the 
eternal  praise  of  its  immense  glory  ! 

Think  it  not  strange  that  I  style  it  a  display  of 
that  same  grace  which  saveth  you.  For  though 
your  soul  might  have  been  saved  eternally,  if  you 
had  been  one  of  the  least,  and  last  of  the  members 
of  Christ's  body,  and  if  you  had  not  been  called 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  ;  yet,  as  God,  from 
the  beginning,  had  chosen  you  to  salvation, 
through  faith  in  his  Son,  he  held  a  counsel  in  him- 
self, before  the  world  was,  how  he  might  display 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  199 

towards  you,  the  exceeding  riches  of  his  salvation- 
grace  ;  and  infinite  wisdom  pitched  upon  this 
way ;  and  infinite  grace  made  a  resolve  concern- 
ing it.  As  if  the  Lord  should  say,  "  I  will 
commend  my  free,  sovereign  love,  the  exceeding 
riches  of  my  boundless  grace,  towards  that  dear 
object  of  my  heart ;  not  only  in  saving  his  soul 
from  the  misery  of  sin,  death,  and  hell,  unto  the 
joy  and  liberty  of  faith  and  holiness,  and  unto 
heaven's  glory  at  last  ;  but  I  will  save  him  unto 
eminent  service  to  win  many  souls  unto  my  Son 
Jesus,  who  shall  be  his  exceeding  joy,  and  as 
jewels  to  enrich  his  crown  of  glory,  and  make  it 
massy  to  a  blest  eternity.  He  shall  be  a  minister, 
a  successful  minister  of  the  gospel  of  the  blessed 
God.  I  will  shew  him  such  wonders  of  special 
grace,  that  shall  overcome  his  heart  with  my 
infinite  kindness,  and  shine  in  his  salvation  with 
a  distinguished  brightness,  to  his  ineflfable  bliss, 
and  my  eternal  praise.  He  shall  see  how  freely 
and  greatly  an  infinite  God  can  love  ;  what 
miracles  of  grace  and  mercy  Jehovah,  Jehovah 
El,  the  strong  God,  as  merciful  and  gracious,  can 
work,  while  I  do  for  him  therein,  exceeding 
abundantly  more  than  he  can  ask  or  think." 

This^  this,  sir,  was  the  language  of  God's  heart 
concerning  you,  before  time  began,  which  hath 
opened,  and  opens,  with  glorious  evidence  in 
your  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  in  your 
past  and  present  usefulness.  For  you  know 
well,  that  the  Lord  God  of  your  salvation 
worketh  all  things  in  special,  gracious  Providence, 


200  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

according  to  the  counsel  of  his  own  will.  Dr. 
Goodwin  says,  '•  It  is  mercy  enough  to  be  a 
minister  ;  God  had  but  one  Son,  and  he  made 
him  a  minister  !"  And  not  only  a  minister,  sir, 
for  that  you  might  have  been,  and  have  been  a 
sweet  savour  of  Christ  unto  God  in  your  ministe- 
rial work,  if  your  preaching  the  gospel  of  grace 
had  been  only  a  savour  of  death  unto  death  in 
them  that  perish.  But,  O  !  that  you  should  be  a 
minister  owned  of  God  for  the  salvation  of  men  ; 
that  your  gospel  ministry  should  prove  the  savour 
of  life  unto  life  to  so  many  !  Favourite  of  heaven  ! 
Indulged  favourite  !  Angels  wonder  at  it !  Well 
may  we  !  "  We  bless  you  out  of  Zion  !"  Con- 
gratulate your  happiness,  and  seek  your  increas- 
ing bliss  !  Truly  you  are  heavy  with  glory ! 
And  what  that  exceeding,  that  more  exceeding, 
that  far  more  exceeding  weight  of  glory  wall  be 
which  is  reserved  for  you  to  a  boundless  eterni- 
ty :  *'  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard  !" 

Blessed  man  !  Love  and  bless  the  Lord  as  you 
can  ;  and  tell  him,  that  by  and  for  his  grace  you 
will  give  him  glory,  incessantly  and  perfectly, 
through  the  circling  ages  of  your  blest  eternity  ! 
And  when  all  is  done  that  can  be  done,  that 
ever  will  be  done,  God's  free  grace,  his  great 
grace,  towards  you  in  Christ,  will  forever  be  ex- 
alted, in  its  own  immense  display,  far  above  all 
your  blessing  and  praise  !  Yea,  exalted  for  ever 
will  this  free,  great  grace  be,  above  all  blessing 
and  praise  which,  on  your  account,  shall  be  giv- 
en unto  God  in  Christ,  by  the  innumerable  hosts 


■  '  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  201 

of  saved  men  and  glorious  angels,  unto  endless 
ages  !  Grace,  in  its  immensity,  none  can  know 
fully,  nor  praise  adequately  ;  that  have  not  in 
them  a  wisdom,  a  strength  of  infinity  !  Put  the 
w^ork  of  praise,  then,  into  your  great  Mediator'3 
hands.  He  knows  his  Father's  heart,  and  his 
marvellous  works,  right  well  !  And  will  praise 
him  as  the  head  of  the  church,  for  all  his  grace 
displayed  and  conferred  on  all  its  members^. 
Who,  in  their  several  places,  and  for  their  various 
services,  were  made  in  secret,  and  curiously 
wrought  in  the  lowest  parts  of  the  earth  ;  while 
the  Father's  eyes  beheld  Christ's  substance,  the 
substance  of  his  body  mystical,  and  in  his  book, 
all  his  members  were  written,  for  place  and  ser- 
vice, which  in  continuance,  were  fashioned  for 
both,  by  grace  to  its  eternal  praise  !  Countless, 
to  Christ  as  man,  were  the  numerous  thoughts,  the 
infinite  thoughts,  of  his  Father's  grace  unto  him 
and  his  !  But  Christ,  as  God,  knows  them  all  full 
well ;  and  being  an  infinite  person,  will  render 
infinite  praise  to  a  God  of  infinite  grace  ! 

If  you  think  not  with  me  in  this,  sir,  pardon 
me.  I  hint  it,  as  it  just  occurred  to  thought. 
And  will  it  not  be  an  exceedingly  great  privilege 
to  us,  who  are  so  greatly  indebted  to  free  grace, 
and  so  greatly  insolvent,  to  give  it  an  adequate 
praise ;  that  our  great  Lord  will  pay  the  mighty  debt 
we  owe,  and  give  to  a  God  of  infinite  grace  the 
glory  due  ?  Yea,  that,  as  the  head  of  the 
church,  for  all  that  infinite  grace  displayed  to- 
wards his  body,  he  will,  being  an  infinite  person^ 


202  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

give  it  an  infinite   glory  !    Here,  in  God's  incar- 
nate  Son,    in    our  Immanuel,    God  with  us,  the 
Father's  soul  will  find  an  infinite  complacence,  in 
an  infinite    praise     for    all    his    infinite   grace ! 
However,  insolvent  as  we  are,  let  us  offer  a  mite 
of  duty,  in  the   name   of  Jesus,   in  love   to  the 
glory  of  the  God  of  grace  !  until  our  feeble  time- 
praises  rise  to  the   strength   of  eternity's  loudest 
hallelujahs.     When   our   great  Lord  and  Head, 
our  glorious  elder   Brother,   our  everlasting  Fa- 
ther, will  present  all  his   and  their  perfect  prai- 
ses, and  our  services,   to  the  highest   acceptance 
in  his  most  acceptable  person,  and  all-transcend- 
ing praise  unto  his  and  our  God  and  Father,  with 
"  Behold  /  and  the  children  which  God  hath  giv- 
en me  !"  In  that   view,  what  an  august,  majestic 
work   will  the    praise  of  heaven    be  !    "  As   the 
voice  of  a  great  multitude,  as  the  voice  of  many 
waters,  as  the  voice  of  mighty  thunderings  !  yea, 
as  the  voice  of  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent  /" 

I  rejoice,  sir,  that  you  are  so  greatly  strength- 
ened by  grace,  for  such  abundant  services,  and 
for  harvest  labours,  unto  harvest  pleasures  :  may 
"  the  power  of  Christ,  still  rest  upon  you,  and 
his  strength  be  made  perfect  in  your  weakness  !" 
How  great  was  the  love  of  your  three-one  God, 
in  reserving  for  you,  and  conferring  upon  you, 
such  a  new  and  great  favour,  together,  as  it  were, 
with  your  newly-restored  life  from  threatened 
death  !  Life  to  you,  with  respect  to  the  glory  of 
Christ  by  you,  in  eminent  service  to  his  praise, 
was  desirable  to  your  heart  in  these  views.     And 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  203 

not  the  single  blessing  of  life  only,  but  the  doubU, 
in  a  life  of  usefulness  ;  to  God's  glory,  and  your 
joy,  is  conferred  upon  you,  by  infinite  bounty,  by 
infinite  love,  and  immensely  great  mercy !" 
*'  Your  iniquities  forgiven ;  your  life  redeemed 
from  destruction  ;  crowned  thus  you  are  with 
loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies  !"  For  emi- 
nent service,  upon  your  resurrection  from  a  sick- 
bed, the  Lord  has  designed  you  ;  for  this  work, 
by  his  grace  upon  your  heart  in  drawing  out 
your  desires  after  it,  he  eminently  prepared  you ; 
and  to  satisfy  your  longing  soul  with  eminent  ser- 
vice, he  hath  blessed  you  ! 

"  This  is  the  Lord's  doing  :  it  is  marvellous  in 
our  eyes  !"  It  is  all  of  grace,  free,  rich,  reigning 
grace,  through  the  redeemer's  righteousness,  from 
first  to  last.  But  this  we  way  observe,  that  where 
God  draws  out  the  heart  into  eager  desires  after 
eminent  service  (as  he  did  yours,  when  you  could 
say,  "  you  knew  no  delight  but  serving  the  Lord,") 
that  soul  is  designed  of  God  to  be  an  eminent 
servant  of  his,  and  shall  have  its  ardent  desires 
turned  into  ineffable  delights  !  For  though  our 
Lord's  love  is  every  way  a  preventing  love,  and 
**  we  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us ;"  yet 
where  he  draws  out  the  principle  of  love  in  the 
hearts  of  his  servants  into  eminent  exercise,  it  is 
to  be  answered,  it  is  to  be  rewarded,  with  glori- 
ous displays  of  infinite  kindness  ! 

"  If  any  man  love  me  (saithour  Lord)  he  shall  be 
loved  of  my  Father  ;  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will 
manifest  myself  unto  him."     "  If  any  man  serve 


204  MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT. 

me  (if  he  earnestly  desires,  and  endeavours  to 
serve  me)  let  him  follow  me  :  (let  him  serve  me  ;) 
I  make  a  gra7it  of  my  service  to  him,  he  shall 
serve  me  ;  and  let  him  therein  take  me  for  his 
example  ;  let  him  follow  me.  And  where  I  am 
(in  the  displays  of  my  glory)  there  shall  my  ser* 
ant  be  ;"  to  his  unspeakable  joy.  "  If  any  man 
serve  me,  him  will  my  Father  honour." 

Well  Dr.  Goodwin  observes,  on  Mary's  stand- 
ing, weeping  at  the  sepulchre  for  her  absent 
Lord,  when  his  disciples  only  came  to  it,  looked 
in,  and  went  their  way  again,  "  that  Christ  mani- 
fested himself  to  her,  as  he  did  not  to  a  whole 
college  of  apostles."  That  '^ faith  carries  it, 
above  all  the  graces,  in  point  of  justification  ; 
but  love  above  all,  in  point  of  Christ's  manifesta- 
tion." And  most  sweetly  he  adds,  "  Christ  knows 
what  it  is  to  love ;  and  no  soul  shall  die  for  the 
love  of  him." 

Of  this,  dear  sir,  you  have  had  blessed  expe- 
rience. And  what  you  have  yet  seen  is  nothing, 
as  it  were,  unto  that  which  is  still  before  you  ; 
or  rather,  it  is  like  God's  laying  the  foundation 
of  a  vast,  an  endless  superstructure  !  For  "  raised 
up  from  the  depths  of  death  unto  the  heights  of 
life,  in  and  with  Christ,  mystically  and  influen- 
tially  ;  it  is,  "  that  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy, 
for  the  great  love  wherewith  he  loveth  you,  may 
shew,  in  the  ages  to  come  (make  a  shew  unto 
endless  ages  of),  the  exceeding  riches  of  his 
grace,  in  his  kindness  towards  you,  through 
Christ  Jesus  !" 

*'  O  man,  greatly  beloved !"  tell  them,  continue^ 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  205 

to  tell,  the  excellent  loving-kindness  of  God  our 
Saviour  towards  unlovely  sinners.  "  Preach  unto 
the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  !" 
and  for  success  in  winning  souls  to  Jesus  !  May 
you  yet  see  "  greater  things  than  these  !"  Little, 
O  little  can  you  think,  how  kindly  the  Prince  of 
Grace  accepts  your  services !  How  much  he  will 
say,  before  men  and  angels,  when  he  appears,  in 
commendation  of  those  performances,  which  you 
call  poor  doings !  which  you  are  ashamed  of, 
before  him,  and  bewail  their  weakness  and  im*- 
perfection,  with  great  lamentation  !  Nor  yet  can 
you  think,  what  a  rich  crown  of  immortal  glory 
he  will  confer  upon  you,  as  a  god-like  reward  of 
all  your  mites  of  duty,  according  to  his  infinite 
bounty  !  "  The  Lord  baptise  you,  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  with  fire  !"  and  hereafter  bless  you 
with  the  ineffable  joy,  the  glorious  honour,  "  of 
presenting  the  happy  souls,  you  have  espoused 
unto  one  Husband,  and  nourished  up  in  faith, 
unto  eternal  life,  as  a  chaste  virgin  unto  Christ  !** 

Indeed,  sir,  highly-favoured  of  God  is  our 
honoured  and  beloved  brother,  Mr.  Hervey,  in 
that  he  is  made  such  a  bright  witness  for  Christ, 
and  the  great  truths  of  his  glorious  gospel  in  the 
earth  !  Excellent  and  precious  is  his  last  per- 
formance. 

You  refresh  my  bowels  in  the  Lord,  while  my 

reverend  brother  tells  me,  "that  my  poor  books 

are  of  use  to  his  dear  people."     May  your  joy  be 

full,  that  seek   to    advance  mine !     And    a    full 

18 


206  MEMOIRS     OF    DA.RRACOTT. 

reward  be  given  you  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel, 
who  suffer  a  little  child  to  cry  "  Hosanna  to  the 
Son  of  David  !"  May  all  your  prayers  for  me  be 
heard,  and  returned  an  hundred  fold  into  your 
own  bosom  !  I  beg  the  continuance  of  your  in- 
terest at  the  throne  of  grace  for  the  most  unwor- 
thy ;  and  as  enabled,  shall  remember  you  most 
heartily  !  I  commit  you  to  the  all-sufficient  grace 
of  your  own  dear  Lord  Jesus ;  to  be  carried 
honourably  and  joyfully  through  all  your  ap- 
pointed service,  until  you  have  finished  your 
course  ;  and  then  to  be  blest  with  a  rich,  immor- 
tal crown  of  life  and  righteousness  ;  unto  his 
eternal  glory,  and  your  everlasting  felicity  !  And 
with  great  affection,  esteem,  and  gratitude  for  all 
favours,  permit  me  to  be. 

Reverend  Sir, 
Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Anne  Button. 
P.  S.  Pardon  me,  dear  sir,  that  I  could  not  get 
time  to  write  sooner.  I  embraced  the  very  first 
leisure.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  hear  that  the 
Countess  of  Huntingdon  appears  on  the  side  of 
Christ,  and  is  eminent  for  God.  May  her  life  be 
continued,  and  her  usefulness  great ! 

FROM  THE  REV,  MR.  HAYWARD  TO  MR.  DARRACOTT. 

Bristol,  April  22,  1757. 
Reverend  and  dear  Sir, 
I   received  your  kind  and  affectionate  letter, 
and  rejoice  to    find    that  God  is  so  remarkably 
blessing  your  labours.     How  comfortable  !  How 


MEMOIRS   OF  DARRACOTT.  207 

animating  !  to  see  sinners  melted,  prodigals  re- 
luming, blasphemers  fearing.  Oh  !  happy  sight ! 
Blessed  be  God,  your  eyes  see  it,  and  your  soul 
cannot  but  exult  in  the  Lord.  I  need  not  say 
how  pleasant  it  is  to  study  and  preach,  when 
God  thus  sets  to  his  seal.  You  are  favoured 
beyond  many,  my  dear  friend.  God  is  owning 
you,  whilst  many  are  crying  out.  Lord,  who 
hath  believed  our  report  ?  May  the  Lord  con- 
tinue your  zeal,  continue  your  life,  and  continue 
your  success,  and  make  you  a  burning  and  a 
shining  light.  Your  letter  found  me  at  Bristol, 
where  I  have  been  now,  these  five  weeks,  and  yet 
but  little  alteration.  1  hope,  upon  the  whole, 
I  am  better,  I  have  had  a  strong  hectic,  and  a 
bad  cough.  I  shall  have  been  laid  aside  from 
my  work,  three  quarters  of  a  year  :  a  long  time 
to  be  silent  !  a  long  affliction,  but  little  improve- 
ment. Gladly  would  I  again  labour  in  my  Lord's 
vineyard,  and  be  an  instrument  of  good  to  souls. 
The  ministry  never  appeared  to  me  in  so  amiable 
alight. 

Oh,  my  brother,  how  highly  God  is  honouring 
you,  to  continue  your  capacity  for  service, 
and  make  you  useful.  I  am  ready  to  say,  Oh, 
that  it  was  thus  with  me  !  What  God  will  do 
with  me,  he  only  knows.  I  desire  to  be  wait- 
ing for  his  will.  All  that  he  has  laid  upon 
me,  I  have  deserved,  and  infinitely  more.  It 
is  rich  mercy  that  I  am  out  of  hell.  I  doubt 
not  your  remembrance  of  me  at  a  throne  of 
grace.     Pray  recommend   me  to  your  people,  ai 


208  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

a  proper  object  of  their  prayers.  I  am  a  living 
object  of  the  power  and  excellency  of  prayer. 
And  God  can  as  easily  perfect  the  mercy  as  he 
began  it  However,  I  would  desire  to  say, 
Father,  thy  will  be  done.  Lady  Huntingdon 
was  extremely  kind.  I  find  her  to  be  a  humble, 
sweet  Christian,  and  ready  to  support  the  cause 
of  Christ  in  any  place.  I  hope  you  and  your 
family  enjoy  health.  The  Lord  confirm  and 
continue  it.  I  cannot  enlarge.  I  am  ordered 
not  to  write,  but  I  must  a  little.  I  shall  be  glad 
to  hear  from  you.  My  kind  respects  to  yours, 
Mrs.  Darracott,  Kitty,  and  all  your  family, 

I  am. 

Dear  Sir, 
Your  most  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 
Samuel  Hayward. 

FROM  LADY  HUNTINGDON  TO  MR.  DARRACOTT. 

Reverend  and  Dear  Sir, 
The  affairs  of  my  family  called  me  home,  but 
I  am  again  brought  back  in  safety,  and  much 
happiness  of  heart  ;  and  that  to  a  sweet  little 
family,  who  live  but  to  devote  every  hour  more 
and  more  to  the  love  and  knowledge  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  We  had  agreed  upon  this  retreat,  and 
taken  a  larger  house  among  us  for  this  purpose, 
and  we  all  wish  your  prayers.  To  become  the 
Lord's  in  body,  soul  and  spirit,  is  the  one  cry 
and  desire  of  our  hearts  ;  and  we  know  he  will 
not  reject  us,  nor  cast    us  out ;    and   though  we 


MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  209 

can  do  nothing,  yet  we  can  receive  of  his  fulness 
grace  for  grace  ;  and  in  this  world  suffer  reproach 
and  persecution  for  his  name's  sake,  which  is 
sweet  and  honourable  to  us  ;  when,  though  we 
can  do  nothing,  we  glory  in  this,  that,  to  his 
praise,  he  hath  redeemed,  and  will  make  us 
priests  unto  God.  We  should  rejoice  to  see  you 
among  us  ;  and  I  hope  nothing  will  prevent  it,  if 
convenient  to  you.  All  gospel  ministers,  it  is 
our  highest  honour  and  happiness  to  serve,  and 
no  denomination  do  we  ever  reject.  If  their 
bowels  are  straitened,  ours  are  not.  All  glorjr 
to  his  free  spirit  that  is  never  bound.  Such  a 
general  stir  1  have  never  known. 

FROM  THE  REV.  DR.   HAWEIS   TO  MR.  DARRACOTT. 

January  28,  1755. 
Reverend  and  very  dear  sir, 
Since  it  hath  pleased  the  great  God,  and  him 
who  hath  the  keys  of  death,  and  in  whose  hands 
the  issues  of  it  are,  to  restore  you  again  to  our 
importunate  supplications,  we  shall,  with  delight, 
consent  to  your  request  in  aiding  your  praises, 
and  gratefully  join  with  you  in  thanksgiving  to 
the  God  that  heareth  prayer.  Next  to  my  joy 
for  your  returning  health,  1  must  add  that  of  the 
sweet  experience  of  God's  favour  and  accept- 
ance which,  in  your  distress,  he  was  pleased  to 
manifest  to  you.  I  trust  the  bonds  it  leaves  on 
you,  sir,  will  appear,  and  that,  like  the  great 
apostle  Peter,  many  years  after,  you  will  have  a 
18* 


210  MEMOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT. 

delightful  remembrance  of  this  manifestation  of 
the  Lord  to  you  :  such  things  comfort  the  living 
in  expectation  of  them,  and  almost  make  us  say, 
"  it  is  ffood  for  us  to  be  here  too." 

Your  reviving,  cheering,  and  spurring  exhor- 
tation, accompanied  with  your  prayers,  shall 
not,  I  trust,  through  the  assistance  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  fail  to  have  its  intended  use,  it  is  what, 
amidst  all  the  blessed  means  I  enjoy,  and  kind- 
ness of  the  Lord  I  experience,  I  abundantly 
need.  For,  sir,  I  have  a  sad  heart,  loath  to 
leave  the  present  glitter,  to  dig  for  hidden  gold  ; 
and  frequently  leaning,  with  perverse  attach- 
ment, to  earth  and  its  transitory  trifles,  which, 
with  all  the  vanity  1  discover  in  them,  too  often 
would  impose  on  my  affections,  and,  like  objects 
seen  througli  a  wrong  medium,  appear  what 
they  are  not. 

You  describe  a  glorious  hope,  and  my  heart 
cannot  but  bound  on  the  expectation.  Yes,  sir, 
I  trust  these  eyes  shall  see  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord,  with  all  the  imperfection  and  unprofitable- 
ness I  find  in  myself.  I  dare  not,  would  not,  for 
a  thousand  worlds,  cast  away  the  hope  of  my 
confidence,  nor,  having  so  often  tasted  that  the 
Lord  is  gracious,  ungratefully  distrust  his  kind- 
ness, or  suspect  his  love ;  whilst,  with  fear  and 
trembling,  I  fain  would  work  out  my  salvation, 
casting  myself  entirely  on  him  that  worketh  in 
me  to  will  and  to  do.  I  hope,  I  desire  to  wait 
for  the    blessedness   of  the  man   that  trusteth  in 


MEBIOIRS     OF    DARRACOTT.  211 

the   Lord,    and  am    persuaded    that  he  hath  not 
forgotten  to  be  gracious. 

It  just  now  strikes  my  mind,  that  it  is  very 
probable  I  shall  never  see  you,  sir,  this  side 
heaven  ;  and  what  think  you  my  heart  says  ? 
Why,  suppose  we  do  not,  we  shall  spend  eternity 
together;  and  Mr.  Darracott  will  own  his 
quondam  friend,  among  the  meanest  of  that 
happy  throng,  though  himself  shines  in  a  more 
distinguished  station.  I  lately  visited  my  sisters, 
and  found  them  vastly  pleased  with  the  entertain- 
ment you  gave  them.  The  good  work  manifestly 
grows.  But  I  have  exhausted  my  stock  of 
time,  when  I  have  assured  my  dear  Mr.  Darracott 
how  affectionately  and  humbly  I  am  his  friend 
and  servant, 

T.  Haweis. 

MISS  MARY  TREGENNA  TO  MR.  DARRACOTT. 

Reverend  and  worthy  sir, 
111  health  has  prevented  me  from  complying 
sooner  with  your  request.  The  Almighty  is  now 
pleased  to  grant  me  a  relaxation  from  my  pain  ; 
and  for  this,  his  great  goodness  to  me,  surely  I 
ought  to  dedicate  those  hours  of  ease  entirely  to 
his  service.  The  present,  I  think,  I  cannot  better 
improve,  than  in  setting  forth  the  praise  of  the 
Lord,  by  telling  you  what  great  things  he  hath 
done  for  my  soul.  Oh,  that  my  whole  life  had 
been  spent  in  conformity  to  his  will !  What 
comfort  would  the  reflection  give  me,  if  the  love 


21SJ  MEMOIRS    OF  DARRACOTT. 

of  Jesus  had  had  an  earlier  possession  of  my 
heart !  But  I  rejected  his  kind  invitations,  and 
cast  his  words  behind  me,  that  I  might,  without 
any  restraint,  follow  the  dictates  of  my  own  per- 
verse will,  which  led  me  into  a  life  of  sin  and 
vanity,  that  erased  every  impression  the  good 
spirit  made  on  my  heart. 

With  sorrow  and  confusion,  I  confess  to  you, 
that  thus  I  lived,  without  God  in  the  world, 
until  I  arrived  at  twenty  years  of  age.  About 
that  time,  I  had  a  brother  going  to  the  university; 
my  papa  went  with  him  (to  take  care  he  was  well 
settled,)  and  as  he  had  but  indifferent  health,  took 
me  with  him.  This  greatly  pleased  my  corrupted 
heart ;  hoping  that  I  should  find  abroad  some  new 
enjoyment,  that  would  give  me  more  delight  than 
any  I  had  hitherto  met  with  could  afford.  But 
how  greatly  was  I  mistaken  !  Nothing  but  disap- 
pointments attended  me,  every  pleasure  I  partook 
of  left  an  uneasiness  on  my  mind,  and  I  returned 
home  more  dissatisfied  than  ever.  Then,  I  began 
to  reflect  on  the  vanity  of  earthly  enjoyments,  and 
plainly  saw,  that  nothing  here  below  was  capable 
of  giving  true  satisfaction  to  the  mind  of  a  rea- 
sonable being. 

I  continued  in  this  thoughtful  way,  till  the 
week  came  on  that  is  observed  among  us  more 
strictly,  in  order  to  take  off  the  attention  from 
earthly  things  ;  to  prepare  the  heart  to  commemo- 
rate the  death  of  our  Blessed  Redeemer  ;  and, 
as  my  parents  were  always  careful  for  me  to  at- 


MEMOIRS    OF    DARRACOTT.  213 

tend  on  all  the  means  of  grace,  I  was  never  suffer- 
ed to  omit  being  at  the  sacrament.  Blessed  Je- 
sus, how  often  have  I  approached  thy  holy  table, 
with  an  unsanctified  heart !  My  mamma  often 
watched  me,  to  see  if  I  neglected  my  private  de- 
votions, and  many  a  reproof  has  she  given  me  on 
this  occasion  ;  for  whenever  I  thought  I  was  not 
observed  by  her,  I  wholly  neglected  my  retire- 
ments, and  when  I  entered  my  closet,  good  Lord, 
what  did  it  avail  me,  to  say  over  a  few  formal 
words,  with  my  thoughts,  at  the  same  time,  taken 
up  with  the  vanities  of  the  world  ! 

But  now,  I  began  to  consider  more  seri- 
ously my  way  of  life,  and  how  did  every  period 
of  it  reproach  me  !  When  I  reflected  how  I 
had,  from  day  to  day,  been  mocking  my  kind 
Creator  and  Preserver,  how  great  was  my  con- 
fusion !  Surely,  said  I,  I  have  been  most  wretch- 
edly deceived  in  pursuing  those  transitory  de- 
lights, I  have  neglected  my  greatest  interest, 
and  despised  the  Lord  that  bought  m.e.  My  heart 
was  immediately  impressed  with  great  sorrow, 
and  I  humbly  fell  down  before  the  throne  of 
grace,  to  implore  for  pardon.  I  continued  for 
some  time  very  much  dejected,  and  spent  all 
my  leisure  time  in  reading  and  prayer ;  my  me- 
lancholy countenance  was  visible  to  every  one, 
but  none  could  guess  what  was  the  true  cause  of 
it,  for  I  had  not  boldness  enough  to  speak  of  it, 
and  no  one  suspected  it ;  as  I  always  kept  up  a 
decency  of  behaviour,   and  past,  in  the  eyes  of 


214  MEMOIRS   OF    DARRACOTT. 

my  acquaintance,  for  what  the  world  calls  a  good 
christian. 

It  was  soon  reported  abroad,  that  love  was  the 
occasion  of  my  melancholy  ;  and  stories  were  told 
of  me  to  my  parents,  that  made  them  very  unea- 
sy. But  at  last,  the  Lord  gave  me  courage  to 
confess  the  cause  of  my  sorrows  ;  and  my  tongue 
was  loosed  to  give  him  the  praise,  and  to  ac- 
knowledge myself  a  most  miserable,  sinful  crea- 
ture. I  was  soon  beset,  on  all  sides,  with  my 
old  companions  in  folly,  who  would  persuade 
me  that  there  was  no  occasion  for  so  much 
strictness,  and,  that  I  should  bring  myself  into 
despair ;  however,  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  with- 
stand all  their  temptations,  and  their  persecutions 
were  a  spur  to  me,  in  the  performance  of  my 
duty  :  at  length,  they  left  me  pretty  quiet. 

But,  how  dangerous  is  a  life  of  much  ease,  t6 
them  who  are  endeavouring  to  take  up  the  cross 
after  their  blessed  Master  !  I  soon  found  that  it 
was  sometimes  good  to  be  afflicted  ;  for  slothful- 
ness  took  hold  of  me,  and  my  zeal  began  to  abate, 
but  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  send  me  a  heavy 
affliction,  by  taking  from  me  my  eldest  sister. 
In  about  a  year  after,  I  lost  my  brother,  and 
another  sister,  and  since  that,  my  father.  Surely, 
if,  after  these  great  afflictions,  I  should  still  set 
my  affection  on  this  world,  and  revolt  from  God, 
great  must  be  my  condemnation.  These  troubles 
have  also  been  the  means  of  inducing  three  more 
of  my  sisters  (that  are  grown  up  to  years  of  matu- 
rity) to  engage  more  vigorously  in  the  service  of 


MEMOIRS     OF     DARRACOTT.  215 

their  Redeemer.  I  have,  also,  four  younger,  that 
I  hope  the  Almighty  will  enable  us  to  train  up  in 
his  fear  and  love. 

One  of  them  I  cannot  forbear  speaking  of,  in  a 
particular  manner.  She  is  about  twelve  years 
old,  but  few  of  twenty  are  so  provident  of  their 
time  ;  the  hours  allowed  for  her  play,  she 
generally  spends  in  reading  or  writing  ;  the  latter, 
she  applied  to  of  herself,  unknown  to  us,  and  can 
now  write  a  very  pretty  hand,  without  being  ever 
taught.  Her  temper  is  quite  even  and  cheerful ; 
nothing  delights  her  more  than  to  hear  of  the 
love  of  Jesus  to  us,  and  to  be  told  of  the  joys  of 
heaven  ;  she  will  leave  any  company,  or  amuse- 
ment, to  hear  a  religious  conversation  :  to  see  the 
joy  that  sparkles  in  her  countenance,  on  those 
occasions,  would  delight  you  ;  her  readiness  to 
obey  any  commands  laid  upon  her,  is  remarkable  ; 
and  the  meekness  with  which  she  bears  ill-treat- 
ment from  any  of  her  companions,  has  often  made 
me  blush.  I  have  found  a  secret  as  safe  with  her, 
as  in  my  own  breast. 

Oh,  sir,  what  great  mercies  has  the  Lord  con- 
ferred on  me  and  mine  !  How  can  I  choose  but 
say,  «  Lord  who  am  I,  that  thou  art  thus  mindful 
of  me,  or  any  of  my  father's  !  Oh,  that  I  could 
praise  the  Lord  as  I  ought,  for  this  his  great 
goodness  to  us  !  Oh,  that  I  might  be  telling  of  his 
salvation  from  day  to  day."  My  sister  enjoys  the 
thoughts  of  seeing  you  and  good  Mrs.  Darracott. 
She  joins  in  thanks   to  you,  for  your  kind,   in- 


216  MEMOIRS    or    DARRACOTT. 

structing  letter,   and  also,  in   sincerest  compli- 
ments, to  you  and  your  good  lady,  with, 
Worthy  sir, 
Your  obliged,  humble  servant, 

And  most  sincere  friend, 

Mary  Tregenna. 
Bath,  Dec.  17,  1754. 


END. 


DATE  DUE 


i 


rniNTCOINU.S  A. 


